Platelet Adhesion Test

Norm of Platelet Adhesion Test

Glass bead retention: 50%–95% (most commonly, 90%–95%).
Increased
Aging, atherosclerosis, burns, carcinoma, diabetes mellitus, exertion, homocystinuria, hypercoagulability, hyperlipemia, infection (acute), multiple sclerosis, pregnancy, surgery, thrombosis, and trauma. Drugs include oral contraceptives.
Decreased
Afibrinogenemia, anemia (severe), azotemia, Bernard-Soulier syndrome, Chédiak-Higashi syndrome, congenital heart disease, Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, glycogen storage disease, macroglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, myeloid metaplasia, myeloproliferative disorders, plasma cell dyscrasia, platelet release defect, storage pool disease, thrombasthenia, thrombocytopathy, uremia, and von Willebrand's disease. Drugs include vitamin E and dietary fish oil supplementation. Herbs or natural remedies include garlic (aged extract taken on an ongoing basis).

 

Description of Platelet Adhesion Test

This test evaluates the ability of platelets to adhere to foreign bodies during blood clotting by running blood through a collection of glass beads and counting the number of platelets adhering to the beads.

 

Professional Considerations of Platelet Adhesion Test

Consent form NOT required.
Preparation

1. Preschedule this test with the laboratory.
2. Tube: Red topped, red/gray topped, or gold topped.
3. Specimens MAY be drawn during hemodialysis.
4. Screen client for the use of herbal preparations or medicines or “natural” remedies.
5. See Client and Family Teaching.

 

Procedure

1. Draw a 10-mL blood specimen.

 

Postprocedure Care

1. None.

 

Client and Family Teaching

1. Do not take drugs that inhibit platelet adhesion within 10 days before the test.
2. Do not take drugs that decrease platelet levels within 10 days before the test (see Platelet count—Blood ).
3. Fast for 8 hours before this test.
4. If results are elevated, the client may need to change from oral contraceptives to other forms of birth control.

 

Factors That Affect Results

1. Reject clotted specimens or specimens with an extremely low platelet count.
2. Platelet adhesiveness is increased during the spring season.
3. Platelet adhesiveness is highest during the afternoon hours.

 

Other Data

1. This test is difficult to standardize.