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
