aggregometer

noun

ag·​gre·​gom·​e·​ter ˌa-gri-ˈgä-mə-tər 

plural aggregometers

medical

: an instrument for measuring the aggregation of platelets in a sample of blood

Finally, a clinically easy-to-use and accurate bedside platelet aggregometer may help deliver optimal antiplatelet therapy to our patients.

—Steven P. Schulman, Journal of the American Medical Association, 20 Oct. 2004

Note: An aggregometer records the changes in the relative intensities of light passing through a sample of blood when it is treated with an agent (such as ADP or collagen) that acts to aggregate platelets.

aggregometry

ˌa-gri-ˈgä-mə-trē 

noun

The standard test of how readily platelets clump is called aggregometry. It is usually performed in a specialized laboratory and can take two to three hours.

—Andrew Pollack, New York Times, 20 July 2004

Word History

Etymology

aggreg(ation) + -o- + -meter

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

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