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. 2019;30(4):498-505.
doi: 10.1080/09537104.2018.1475631. Epub 2018 May 22.

Usefulness of multiple electrode aggregometry as a screening tool for bleeding disorders in a pediatric hospital

Thorsten Haas  1 , Melissa M Cushing  2 , Stephanie Varga  1 , Séverine Gilloz  3 , Markus Schmugge  3
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Free article

Usefulness of multiple electrode aggregometry as a screening tool for bleeding disorders in a pediatric hospital

Thorsten Haas et al. Platelets. 2019.
Free article

Abstract

Platelet function testing is a cornerstone in the diagnostic investigation of patients with a bleeding history. Multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) has been shown to detect von Willebrand disease (VWD), platelet function disorders, and drug-induced bleeding disorders. However, there are few studies supporting its successful use in children. We have implemented and used MEA over 3 years in our hemostasis laboratory in order to study its usefulness to supplement and expedite diagnosis. This is a retrospective, single-center, cohort study of 109 hospitalized children who underwent a laboratory investigation of hemostasis and either had a reported bleeding history or an abnormal bleeding episode. Plasmatic coagulation testing, blood counts, plasmatic von Willebrand testing, platelet function analyzer (PFA-100), and impedance aggregometry (MEA) were performed in all children. Light transmission aggregometry testing was performed as needed. In 41 cases (37.6%), a working diagnosis was made; a primary hemostatic disorder was detected in 35 children (VWD (n = 16), platelet disorder (n = 15), and valproic acid therapy-induced bleeding disorder (n = 3), acetylsalicylic acid-related bleeding (n = 1). In patients diagnosed with VWD, MEA ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation test (RISTO) high test revealed abnormally low aggregation in six patients (43.8%); whereas in patients diagnosed with a platelet function disorder, abnormally low values were found by MEA in only three children (20%). Three of the four children with laboratory evidence of drug-induced platelet dysfunction had abnormalities on MEA. There were no cases in which an abnormal MEA result was used to make a previously undetermined diagnosis. Retrospectively, MEA has demonstrated limited additional diagnostic value beyond standard laboratory testing for detecting defects of primary hemostasis in children.

Keywords: Blood coagulation; PFA-100; multiplate analyzer; platelet aggregation; platelet function; von Willebrand factor.

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