Assessment of platelet function in the laboratory

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Clinical Pathology
• Diagnostic Testing

Background:

• Platelet function testing is vital for diagnosing bleeding disorders and predicting surgical bleeding.
• Current tests face challenges in standardization, complexity, and quality assurance, leading to inter-laboratory variability.
• Traditional methods like bleeding time and aggregometry are being supplemented by newer technologies such as flow cytometry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current landscape of platelet function testing.
• To highlight the challenges in standardization and quality assurance of these tests.
• To discuss the emergence of new technologies and the need for updated guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Review of traditional and novel platelet function assays.
• Discussion of standardization efforts by committees like CLSI, BCSH, and ISTH.
• Analysis of challenges in clinical laboratory implementation.

Main Results:

• Significant variability exists between laboratories in performing platelet function tests.
• Newer assays, including flow cytometry, show emerging clinical utility but are not yet routine.
• Lack of comprehensive, modern guidelines contributes to poor standardization.

Conclusions:

• Standardization of platelet function tests is critical for reliable clinical application.
• Development and adoption of new guidelines by committees are essential.
• Improved standardization will enhance clinical practice, quality assurance, and reduce variability.