Platelet characteristics in patients with essential thrombocytosis

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by an increased platelet count. ET is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, and procoagulant features of the disease may include an increased number of reactive reticulated platelets and an increased aggregation potential. We aimed to explore the association between platelet count, platelet turnover, and platelet aggregation in patients with ET.

We included 24 ET patients who discontinued antiplatelet therapy prior to blood sampling. Reticulated platelets were assessed as immature platelet count (IPC) and immature platelet fraction by automated flow cytometry (Sysmex XE-5000). Platelet aggregation was investigated by impedance aggregometry (Multiplate^® Analyzer) and aggregation potential by flow cytometry (NAVIOS).

Our results showed that ET patients had increased IPC compared to healthy individuals (median 12.3 vs. median 6.9, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, a positive correlation between platelet count and impedance aggregation was demonstrated using arachidonic acid (r = 0.48, P = 0.02), thrombin-receptor-activating-peptide (r = 0.46, P = 0.03) and adenosine diphosphate (r = 0.56, P = 0.007) as agonists. Finally, an increased aggregation potential was demonstrated in ET patients compared to healthy individuals.

The study showed that ET patients compared to healthy individuals have an increased amount of reticulated platelets and increased aggregation potential. These findings might in part explain the increased thromboembolic risk in patients with ET. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society.