Korean J Intern Med.  2002 Mar;17(1):65-68.

EDTA-dependent Pseudothrombocytopenia Confirmed by Supplementation of Kanamycin: A Case Report

• Ahn HL
• Jo YI
• Choi YS
• Lee JY
• Lee HW
• Kim SR
• Sim J
• Lee W
• Jin CJ

Abstract

EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) is the phenomenon of a spurious low platelet count due to EDTA-induced aggregation of platelets. Since the failure to recognize EDTA-dependent PTCP may result in incorrect diagnosis and inappropriate treatment, the recognition of this phenomenon is very important. We report an insidious case of EDTA-dependent PTCP confirmed by supplementation of kanamycin to anticoagulant in a 53-year-old women. Although sodium citrate and heparin usually prevented the aggregation of platelets in EDTA-dependent PTCP patients, these anticoagulants failed in preventing PTCP in our case. EDTA-dependent PTCP was confirmed by the findings that the clumping of platelets on microscopic evaluation was found in EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples, whereas thrombocytopenia and platelet aggregation were not revealed in the sample supplemented with kanamycin.

Keyword

Pseudothrombocytopenia; EDTA; Platelet aggregation; Kanamycin

MeSH Terms

Antibiotics, Aminoglycoside/*pharmacology
Anticoagulants/*adverse effects/pharmacology
Case Report
Edetic Acid/*adverse effects
Female
Human
Kanamycin/*pharmacology
Middle Age
Platelet Aggregation/*drug effects
Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/*therapeutic use
Platelet Count
Thrombocytopenia/*blood/chemically induced