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Hamostaseologie 2022; 42(01): 036-045
DOI: 10.1055/a-1700-7036
Review Article

Diagnosis of Platelet Function Disorders: A Challenge for Laboratories

Miriam Wagner
1   Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
Günalp Uzun
2   Centre for Clinical Transfusion Medicine, Tübingen ZKT gGmbH, Tübingen, Germany
,
Tamam Bakchoul
1   Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
2   Centre for Clinical Transfusion Medicine, Tübingen ZKT gGmbH, Tübingen, Germany
,
Karina Althaus
1   Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
2   Centre for Clinical Transfusion Medicine, Tübingen ZKT gGmbH, Tübingen, Germany
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Abstract

In patients with normal plasmatic coagulation and bleeding tendency, platelet function defect can be assumed. Congenital platelet function defects are rare. Much more commonly they are acquired. The clinical bleeding tendency of platelet function defects is heterogeneous, which makes diagnostic approaches difficult. During the years, a large variety of tests for morphological phenotyping and functional analysis have been developed. The diagnosis of platelet function defects is based on standardized bleeding assessment tools followed by a profound morphological evaluation of the platelets. Platelet function assays like light transmission aggregation, luminoaggregometry, and impedance aggregometry followed by flow cytometry are commonly used to establish the diagnosis in these patients. Nevertheless, despite great efforts, standardization of these tests is poor and in most cases, quality control is lacking. In addition, these tests are still limited to specialized laboratories. This review summarizes the approaches to morphologic phenotyping and platelet testing in patients with suspected platelet dysfunction, beginning with a standardized bleeding score and ending with flow cytometry testing. The diagnosis of a functional defect requires a good collaboration between the laboratory and the clinician.

Keywords

platelet function defect - light transmission aggregometry - inherited platelet disorder - granule defect


Publication History

Received: 18 October 2021

Accepted: 17 November 2021

Article published online:
23 February 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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