The clinical impact of platelet function testing

In contrast to hereditary platelet function defects acquired abnormalities of platelet function are very common. Platelet dysfunction, as defined by ex vivo tests or the bleeding time test, is observed after the intake of many drugs and common foods, as well as in pathological conditions such as hematological, renal or hepatic diseases, extracorporeal circulation or in the presence of antiplatelet antibodies. In addition to quantitative platelet disorders, qualitative platelet defects may result in an increased risk of bleeding or thromboembolism. Furthermore platelet function may be important in the progression of cardiovascular disease. However, evaluation of platelet function is far from being standardized and the clinical importance of a given platelet dysfunction is frequently uncertain. Thus tailoring (defining) a treatment for an individual patient is difficult.