Electronically determined platelet indices in thrombocytopenic patients

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Patients with cancer frequently experience thrombocytopenia. Platelet size demonstrated on blood smear can be a clue to the mechanism of thrombocytopenia. New electronic cell counters are capable of determining mean platelet volume (MPV) on whole blood specimens as part of routine complete blood cell counts. The clinical usefulness of MPV and other platelet indices were examined in 87 unselected hospitalized thrombocytopenic patients. Patients with thrombocytopenia resulting from loss or consumption have higher MPVs than do patients with marrow failure. Thrombocytopenic patients also have greater heterogeneity of platelet size than do non-thrombocytopenic patients with normal complete blood cell counts. MPV may become a useful part of routine blood cell counts in hospitalized cancer patients.