Platelet aggregation in experimental spinal cord injury. Ultrastructural observations
J. H. Goodman, W. G. Bingham Jr and W. E. Hunt
Endothelial alterations occur as early as 1 1/2 minutes following impact
injury to the primate spinal cord. Separation of the endothelial junctions
and exposure of microvascular basal lamina result in platelet adhesion and
aggregations that cover defects in the vessel wall and may progress to
complete vascular occlusion. This occurs during the first six hours
following injury. Platelets also adhere to the surface of damaged
endothelium. Hemostasis resulting from platelet thrombus formation is
responsible in part for decreased blood flow in the central gray matter
following spinal cord trauma.
