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Can the Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA)-100 test substitute for the template bleeding time in routine clinical
J Francis1, D Francis, L Larson
1Walt Disney Memorial Cancer Institute at Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL 32804, USA. John_Francis@mail.fhmis.net
Platelets
|June 28, 2006
Summary
The Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA)-100 is a more sensitive and efficient screening test for platelet dysfunction compared to the traditional bleeding time (BT). It offers better detection of platelet issues and could replace the BT in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Clinical Pathology
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- The bleeding time (BT) is a conventional but limited screening test for platelet function.
- Platelet dysfunction can lead to significant hemostatic challenges.
- There is a need for more accurate and efficient platelet function tests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic performance of the Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA)-100 with the bleeding time (BT) for screening platelet dysfunction.
- To evaluate the PFA-100's sensitivity and efficiency in a clinical inpatient setting.
- To determine if the PFA-100 can serve as a superior replacement for the BT.
Main Methods:
- Prospective comparison of PFA-100 and BT in 113 hospital inpatients.
- PFA-100 testing used collagen and epinephrine (CEPI) cartridges, with collagen and ADP (CADP) used for abnormal CEPI results.
- Whole blood platelet aggregation studies and chart review for discordant results between PFA-100 and BT.
Main Results:
- Abnormal results were found in 20.4% of BT tests and 35.4% of PFA-100 tests.
- Agreement between BT and PFA-100 was observed in 74.3% of patients.
- Platelet aggregation studies supported the PFA-100 in 86.2% of discordant cases, indicating higher sensitivity.
- PFA-100 demonstrated greater sensitivity to aspirin-induced platelet dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- The PFA-100 is more sensitive and detects platelet dysfunction more effectively than the BT.
- The PFA-100 is faster and more cost-effective to perform than the BT.
- The PFA-100 is recommended as a replacement for the BT as a first-line screening test for platelet dysfunction.
