EDTA dependent pseudothrombocytopenia - cause and incidence

• Author Details:   
• Ujjwala V. Tulluri
• Yash R. Kale
• SR Agashe
• PP Patil

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 Aims and Objectives:

1.        To find out the incidence of EDTA dependent pseudothrombocytopenia(PTCP)

2.        To confirm EDTA dependent pseudothrombocytopaenia(PTCP) by counting the platelets using anticoagulants other than EDTA (citrate and heparin)

Introduction: Pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) meaning there by a spuriously low platelet count.
EDTA induced clumping of platelets is one of the important cause of pseudothrombocytopaenia.
Materials and Method

Inclusion criteria: All 3000 blood samples received during study period in hematology laboratory of BVDU Medical college sangli for complete blood count (CBC) or platelet count

Exclusion criteria:

1.        Patients with known cause of thrombocytopenia were excluded.

2.        Thrombocytopenia due to technical errors.

Result: The incidence of EDTA Dependent Pseudothrombocytopenia was 0.13%.
Conclusion: The incidence of EDTA dependent Pseudothrombocytopenia is quite low.
Every sample with a low platelet count with EDTA as anticoagulant and/or presence of platelet clumps on the peripheral blood smear, and after ruling out other causes of pseudothrombocytopenia, must be collected again in a vaccutainer containing different anticoagulant (heparin and citrate). If the platelet count rises therein, it should be considered as a case of EDTA dependent Pseudothrombocytopenia.

Keywords: Platelet count, Pseudothrombocytopenia, EDTA dependent Pseudothrombocytopenia