Platelet aggregation in presence of anticoagulants dependent pseudothrombocytopenia.
We report a case of pseudothrombocytopenia anticoagulants dependence in a healthy woman. Platelet count was performed on the automated impedance haematological analyzer utilizing peripheral blood samples anticoagulated with ethylene diamine tetra-acetate, heparin and sodium citrate. We pointed out that the severe thrombocytopenia was principally time and ethylene diamine tetra-acetate dependent. As regard both the temperature (37 degrees C) and the other anticoagulants (heparin, sodium citrate), the phenomenon was variable. The phenomenon "in vitro" was confirmed by the normal aggregation, moreover we showed that the platelets of a normal subject aggregated with plasma and ethylene diamine tetra-acetate of pseudothrombocytopenic subject. We report this case because often, in a healthy subject, it is possible to make a mistake in diagnosis and to employ more sophisticated and expansive investigations. Moreover it is very important to point out the pseudothrombocytopenia in case of heparinic therapy because it is possible to have a dilated thrombocytopenia.
D'Angelo
G
G
Laboratorio di Chimica-Clinica, Ematologia e Microbiologia, USSL n. 6, Ospedale A. Bellini, Somma Lombardo (Varese).
Calvano
D
D
Mattaini
R
R
Cosini
I
I
Giardini
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016477:Artifacts; D001322:Autoanalysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D012016:Reference Values; D013696:Temperature; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013997:Time Factors
D000925:Anticoagulants