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Platelet Function Tests: Preanalytical Variables, Clinical Utility, Advantages, and Disadvantages

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Hemostasis and Thrombosis

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1646))

Abstract

Platelet function tests are mainly used in the diagnostic work-up of platelet disorders. During the last decade, the additional use of platelet function tests to evaluate the effect of antiplatelet therapy has also emerged in an attempt to identify patients with an increased risk of arterial thrombosis. Furthermore, platelet function tests are increasingly used to measure residual effect of antiplatelet therapy prior to surgery with the aim of reducing the risk of bleeding. To a limited extend, platelet function tests are also used to evaluate hyperaggregability as a potential marker of a prothrombotic state outside the setting of antiplatelet therapy. This multifaceted use of platelet function tests and the development of simpler point-of-care tests with narrower application have increased the use of platelet function testing and also facilitated the use of platelet function tests outside the highly specialized laboratories. The present chapter describes the preanalytical variables, which should be taken into account when planning platelet function testing. Also, the most widely used platelet function tests are introduced, and their clinical utility and their relative advantages and disadvantages are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark

    Anne-Mette Hvas

  2. Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    Erik Lerkevang Grove

Authors
  1. Anne-Mette Hvas
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  2. Erik Lerkevang Grove
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anne-Mette Hvas .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Haematology, Sydney Centres for Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), NSW Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia

    Emmanuel J. Favaloro

  2. Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Giuseppe Lippi

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Hvas, AM., Grove, E.L. (2017). Platelet Function Tests: Preanalytical Variables, Clinical Utility, Advantages, and Disadvantages. In: Favaloro, E., Lippi, G. (eds) Hemostasis and Thrombosis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1646. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7196-1_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7196-1_24

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-7194-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-7196-1

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