Inappropriate platelet transfusion in a patient with ethylenediamine tetra- acetic acid (EDTA)--induced pseudothrombocytopenia.
Automated platelet counts in the laboratory may be fictitiously low at times and require manual confirmation. Ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) in few patients and healthy individuals can induce platelet aggregation, giving rise to a spuriously low automated platelet count. This phenomenon which occurs due to the presence of IgG antibodies, if unrecognized, can result in incorrect diagnosis and consequent inappropriate treatment. We present a patient who received inappropriate platelet transfusion as a result of EDTA induced spurious thrombocytopenia.
Kakkar
Naveen
N
Department of Pathology, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab. n_kakkar@satyam.net.in
Garg
Geetu
G
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D010976:Platelet Count; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000628:therapy*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D004492:Edetic Acid