title: [Anticoagulant-induced pseudo-thrombocytopenia: an important laboratory artifact].
abstract: In the medical unit of our regional hospital we observed eight cases of anticoagulant-related pseudothrombocytopenia within two years. Attention is drawn to this often misdiagnosed laboratory artefact. In every unexpected thrombocytopenia found by automatic cell-counting a simple blood smear should be studied especially for thrombocyte-aggregates and the automatic platelet-count should be repeated using another anticoagulant, before other investigations are undertaken.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Abteilung, Ospedale della Beata Vergine, Mendrisio.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radaelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reiner
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Balestra
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016477:Artifacts; D002951:Citrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D002951:Citrates; D006493:Heparin; D004492:Edetic Acid