microaggregate

microaggregate

 [mi″kro-ag´rĕ-gat] a microscopic collection of particles, as of platelets, leukocytes, and fibrin, that occurs in stored blood.

microaggregate

A clump of neutrophils, platelets and fibrin, which can cause intravascular sludging and pulmonary insufficiency. Most microaggregates may be removed by 170-µm-diameter micropore filters.

mi·cro·ag·gre·gate

(mī'krō-ag'rĕ-gāt) A small loose mass (20-120 mcm) of fibrin, degenerating platelets, white blood cells, or cellular debris that forms in blood stored in the refrigerator five days or longer. Special filters can be used to separate them during administration of the blood unit.