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Utility of the Platelet Function Analyzer in Patients with Suspected Platelet Function Disorders: Diagnostic Accuracy
Jonas Kaufmann1, Marcel Adler1,2, Lorenzo Alberio2,3
1Department of Hematology and Central Hematology Laboratory, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
TH Open : Companion Journal to Thrombosis and Haemostasis
|December 30, 2020
Summary
The platelet function analyzer (PFA) shows moderate to poor diagnostic performance for screening inherited platelet function disorders (PFDs). This study suggests PFA is not suitable for PFD screening in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Platelet function analyzer (PFA) is a common screening tool for bleeding disorders.
- The diagnostic accuracy of PFA for platelet function disorders (PFDs) remains unclear.
- PFDs are among the most frequent inherited bleeding conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of PFA in identifying PFDs in a clinical setting.
- To assess the performance of PFA compared to established diagnostic methods for PFDs.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data collection from 555 patients with suspected bleeding disorders between January 2012 and March 2017.
- Standardized diagnostic work-up including light transmission aggregometry and flow cytometry.
- PFA testing using adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and epinephrine (EPI) cartridges.
Main Results:
- Confirmed PFD was diagnosed in 9.7% of patients.
- PFA sensitivity for PFD was 19.5% (ADP) and 44.3% (EPI), with specificities of 86.4% and 75.6%, respectively.
- Closure times in PFD patients were significantly longer compared to non-PFD individuals.
Conclusions:
- The diagnostic performance of PFA for PFDs is moderate to poor.
- Current evidence does not support the use of PFA as a screening tool for PFDs in clinical practice.
- Further research may be needed to explore alternative screening methods for PFDs.
