Calcium Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.

Kinetic Processes Specific to Platelets. Adhesion – When platelets adhere to exposed collagen, they take on a characteristic “spiny” shape. Their inherent stickiness, and the aforementioned spiny shape serve to compliment each other during this process. Von Willebrands Factor (vWF) is absorbed by surface receptors on both the platelet and exposed subendothelial tissue, thereby linking the platelets to the tissue. Release – This process occurs prior to aggregation. Platelets dump the contents of their granules (ADP, Serotonin, & Calcium), which aids the upcoming aggregation process by acting as a chemical signal. Aggregation – Platelets physically bind to each other, not just to the exposed subendothelial walls and collagen of the breached vessel. Platelet aggregation requires sufficient chemical signal stimulation. Stabilization (technically part of secondary hemostasis as fibrin is a product of secondary hemostasis)– This process strengthens the platelet plug with the addition of interwoven fibrin strands, ultimately producing a fibrin clot. The durable fibrin clot is the ultimate goal of hemostatic processes.

Then, activated factor IX (IXa), along with ionized calcium, platelet factor, and factor VIII, activate factor X, which is a direct precursor of thrombin in the common pathway. The activation of factor X signals the beginning of the common pathway. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is used to monitor the intrinsic pathway and the effectiveness of heparin therapy.

Consists of an electrolyte panel, plus: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which a measure of renal function. Creatinine (Creat), which also measures renal function Glucose, the most important blood sugar, and Calcium. Run on serum or plasma

Normal crystals include uric acid, calcium oxalate, amorphous urates or phosphates, triple phosphate, ammonium biurate and calcium carbonate.

Crystals found in normal acid urine include uric acid, calcium oxalate and amorphous urates. This slide shows an example of uric acid crystals.

Calcium oxalate crystals have a characteristic octahedral or envelope shape. Fine focusing will cause the "x" to be refractile. Size may vary from extremely small to quite large. They are associated with diets high in oxalic acid or chemical toxicity. Occasionally calcium oxalate crystals are dumbbell or oval in shape.