Pseudothrombocytopenia in cardiac surgical practice

Abstract

Pseudothrombocytopenia is observed occasionally in post-cardiac surgical patients. It is commonly due to EDTA-mediated immunological mechanisms, which lead to agglutination of functionally intact platelets. This condition is harmless and does not warrant platelet transfusion. We describe an instance of pseudothrombocytopenia in our practice and discuss its clinical relevance. © 2007 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.