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Incidence and Diagnosis of EDTA‐Dependent Pseudothrombocytopenia in a Consecutive Outpatient Population Referred for Isolated Thrombocytopenia
Author(s) -
Silvestri Federico,
Virgolini Luigi,
Savignano Chiara,
Zaja Francesco,
Velisig Marinella,
Baccarani Michele
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1995.tb02542.x
Subject(s) - medicine , platelet , incidence (geometry) , outpatient clinic , population , surgery , gastroenterology , pediatrics , physics , environmental health , optics
Among 111 patients referred to our outpatient clinic for isolated thrombocytopenia during a 24‐month period, 17 (15.3%) cases of EDTA‐dependent pseudothrombocytopenia (EDTA‐PTCP) were identified. EDTA‐PTCP represented the second most frequent cause of thrombocytopenia in this population. The diagnosis was confirmed by the following findings: (a) normal platelet numbers immediately after blood withdrawal; (b) progressive fall of platelet counts and evident platelet clumping over time, only in EDTA‐anticoagulated blood. A simple, inexpensive and quick diagnostic method was devised, that consists in evaluating the platelet number in a blood sample anticoagulated with EDTA immediately after blood withdrawl and 4 h later.