Table I.
Radiation exposure severely impacts platelet function. Platelet counts, estimates, and clumping values are shown for the irradiated pigs. The platelet estimates are reported in terms of normal and low platelet counts for the pigs in this study. Platelet clumping data were determined from blood smears that indicated platelet clumps. A paired Student's t-test was used to determine statistical significance, as indicated by * (p < 0.05).
| Days Post-Radiation | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre | 1.5 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 22 | 30 | |||||||||
| Platelet Count (103 cells/μL) | 556 (± 75) | 211 (± 117) | 321 (± 28) | 49* (± 2) | 23* (± 15) | 14.5 | 56 | 225 | ||||||||
| Platelet Estimate (N, L) | N | L | N | L | N | L | N | L | N | L | N | L | N | L | N | L |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Pigs with Platelet Clumping | 0/3 | 2/3 | 0/3 | 3/3 | 1/3 | 2/2 | 1/1 | 0/1 | ||||||||
Platelet Estimates:
N = Normal, > 200 × 103 cells/μL
L=Low, < 200 × 103 cells/μL