Pseudothrombocytopenia in cardiac surgical practice.
Pseudothrombocytopenia is observed occasionally in post-cardiac surgical patients. It is commonly due to EDTA-mediated immunological mechanisms, which lead to agglutination of functionally intact platelets. This condition is harmless and does not warrant platelet transfusion. We describe an instance of pseudothrombocytopenia in our practice and discuss its clinical relevance.
The Heart Hospital, University College NHS Trust, 16-18 Westmoreland Street, London W1G 8PH, UK. suku50@hotmail.com
Sukumaran K
SK
Nair
Roma
R
Shah
Matus
M
Petko
Bruce E
BE
Keogh
D000368:Aged; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010976:Platelet Count; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000276:immunology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology
D000925:Anticoagulants; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D004492:Edetic Acid