Platelet Function Assays

OVERVIEW

  • PFA-100 = citrated whole blood placed in a disposable cartridge containing a membrane coated with collagen/adrenaline or collagen/ADP into which a microscopic aperture has been cut -> with high shear rates contact of blood with the membrane causes platelets to aggregate and occlude the aperture.
  • time to occlude the aperture is recorded (closure time)
  • very rapid + simple
  • has largely replaced the bleeding time.

INTERPRETATION

  • subject to a number of variables:
  1. platelet count
  2. haematocrit
  3. ABO blood groups
  4. plasma vWF
  • a normal test has a high negative predictive value

CAUSES OF QUALITATIVE PLATELET DYSFUNCTION

  • renal failure
  • hepatic failure
  • drugs: anti-platelets
  • DIC
  • autoantibodies (HITTS)
  • haematological problems: vWD

[cite]


CCC 700 6

Critical Care

Compendium

Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the  Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.

He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.

His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.

On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.

| INTENSIVE | RAGE | Resuscitology | SMACC

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