Platelet Function Testing

January 2024 Quick Question: Platelet Function Tests

Our January 2024 question is a poll submitted by Dave McGlasson, asking, “What platelet function test do you use?” While light transmittance aggregometry [LTA] has been available since the mid-1960s and is regarded by many as the reference method for platelet function testing, many have switched to the simpler whole blood aggregometry [WBA]. Our answers […]

Bleeding Disorders

ISTH Releases Management of Chemotherapy-induced Thrombocytopenia

The ISTH Subcommittee on Hemostasis & Malignancy just released the following guidelines. Soff G, Leader A, Al-Samkari H, et al.. Management of chemotherapy induced thrombocytopenia: Guidance from the ISTH Subcommittee on Hemostasis & Malignancy. J Thromb Haemost. 2023;10:S1538-7836(23)00734-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jtha.2023.09.031. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37827380.

Platelet Function Testing

November 2023 QQ: Platelet Hyperaggregability

Our November Quick Question is another poll, this time in response to our provocative October 4, 2023 discussion, initiated by Dr. Mayukh Sarkar, entitled “Sticky Platelet Syndrome.” The question asks, “Do you test for platelet hyperaggregation?” As always, please answer the poll and then post your written opinion in the “Comments” section below.

Quick Question Archive

Sticky Platelet Syndrome

On 10-4-23 Mayukh Sarker, PhD asked, “At the October 4–6 Mayo conference someone asked. ‘what is sticky platelet syndrome, and can it be defined and diagnosed?’ The consensus was no, it was an “old school” thought but it currently can’t be diagnosed clinically or by the laboratory. What are your thoughts on this?” On 10-5-23 […]

New Educational Module: TMAs

Announcing our 35-minute educational module, Thrombotic Microangiopathies, or TMAs, also known as TTP, STEC-HUS, aHUS, ADAMTS13, VWF, MAHA, TMA, PLEX, and HELLP, what does it all mean? We hope you will find this helpful.

Bleeding Disorders

February, 2023 Quick Question: VWF Activity Assays

Our February 2023 Quick Question, “What VWF activity assay do you use?” attracted 32 responses. Here are the results: Automated VWF:RCo: 12 [38%] VWF:RCo: 10 [31%] VWF:GP1bR: 3 [9%] VWF:GP 1bM: 4 [13%] VWF:Ab: 2 [6%] VWF:CB: 1 [3%] Although the aggregometer-based ristocetin cofactor activity assay [VWF:RCo] is criticized for poor reproducibility, with interassay CV […]

Bleeding Disorders

July 2022 QQ: Reduced concentration RIPA test.

Our July 2022 Quick Question asks, “What von Willebrand disease [VWD] subtype is identified using the reduced concentration ristocetin-induced platelet aggregometry [RIPA] test?” Many of the VWD types and subtypes are currently identified using molecular diagnosis, however, the “legacy” phenotypic tests often provide a speedy and inexpensive shortcut. This may be one such case. Please […]

Bleeding Disorders

ISTH Guidelines for Treatment of TTP

Reminder, in 2020, the International Society for Thrombosis and Hemostasis [ISTH} released their “ISTH Diagnosis Guidelines” and “ISTH TTP Treatment Guidelines.”Click here for access to the guidelines and their supporting material.”

Bleeding Disorders

February, 2022 QQ Response: Platelet Aggs

Thanks to our 57 FF participants for your responses to our February 2022 Quick Question. The question stem was: “What single agonist is your first choice to measure platelet response to aspirin?” ADP: 14% [8] TRAP: 2% [1] Collagen: 2% [1] Epinephrine: 28% [16] Arachidonic acid: 54% [31] Although this question is a poll, my […]

Arterial Thrombosis

Platelet-Cancer Cell Uptake

Here is an open-access original research report that illustrates cancer cells’ ability to uptake and mimic platelets, leading to access to the platelet proteome, implying that platelets may support metastases: /sites/default/files/plt-ca_cell_uptake_castanheira_jth_2021.pdf

Platelet Function Testing

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George Fritsma is a medical laboratory scientist, educator, and author. George is a member of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, the International Society for Laboratory Hematology, and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

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