Contemporary platelet function testing.
Defects in primary hemostasis typically lead to a bleeding diathesis and include several disorders, such as von Willebrand disease and various platelet function defects that may arise because of failure of membrane receptors, deficiencies in internal storage organelles, and/or signal transduction problems. The laboratory identification of a primary hemostasis defect including platelet function defects now involves a multi-step process. These processes begin with a full blood count to assess platelet count and size, progressing, if necessary, to platelet aggregation studies, and leading to further specific testing including flow cytometry, electron micro-scopy and/or genetic testing. This review outlines the sequential process of platelet function investigations, and discusses each of the essential components in some detail.
Department of Hematology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia. emmanuel.favaloro@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Emmanuel J
EJ
Favaloro
Giuseppe
G
Lippi
Massimo
M
Franchini
D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D010979:Platelet Function Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors