Shear-induced in-vitro haemostasis/thrombosis tests: the benefit of using native blood.

The historical development of in-vitro bleeding time tests, using solely shear forces to initiate haemostatic plug formation, in the absence of the vessel wall or its components, is described. Techniques that have no potential for routine use in clinical practice, such as flow chambers and cone-and-plate viscometers, are excluded. The problems related to the use of citrated blood in platelet function tests are discussed. In light of the pivotal role of thrombin and platelet-dependent thrombin generation in haemostasis/thrombosis, the advantage and clinical benefits of testing unadulterated native blood is discussed.