Template bleeding time and clinical hemorrhage in myeloproliferative disease

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In 32 patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) [polycythemia vera and chronic granulocytic leukemia], correlations were made among clinical observations of hemorrhagic tendency, template Ivy bleeding time and platelet aggregation studies. Bleeding time was commonly prolonged, particularly in myelofibrosis. In 2 cases, this prolongation appeared to reflect a defect in platelet function, which resulted in clinical bleeding. Prolongation of bleeding time did not correlate with degree of thrombocytosis. Two patients with thrombocytosis had serious clinical bleeding at a time when bleeding time was normal. of the patients, 35% had abnormal findings from aggregation studies, but there was no correlation between aggregation studies and prolongation of bleeding time or clinical hemorrhage. Bleeding in MPD arises from a defect in platelet function, which is reflected in prolonged bleeding time, or thrombocytosis.