We evaluated the utility of the PFA-100® platelet function analyzer in identifying
disorders in platelet function and/or von Willebrand factor (vWF) in patients with
various systemic disorders being followed at a tertiary care center. Closure times
were determined with collagen/ ADP (CADP) and collagen/epinephrine (CEPI) cartridges
for 305 patients, and abnormal results were further evaluated with platelet aggregometry
and vWF analysis. Prolonged CADP and/or CEPI closure times were identified in 114
patients (37.3%), but most were isolated prolonged CEPI closure times predominantly
due to aspirin therapy (79 patients). Prolonged CADP closure times were most frequently
due to qualitative platelet defects and/or decreased vWF levels. Prolonged CADP closure
times were encountered most frequently in patients with sickle cell disease and were
associated with a decreased hematocrit. This study demonstrated that the PFA-100®
analyzer can accurately assess vWF-dependent platelet function and detect other platelet
defects under high shear stress in complex patient populations.
Keywords
Primary hemostasis - platelets - von Willebrand factor