Lab Med Online.  2023 Jan;13(1):1-6. 10.47429/lmo.2023.13.1.1.

Bleeding time: Remained or Retired or Removed?

• Kim B

• KMID: 2552717
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.47429/lmo.2023.13.1.1

Abstract

The bleeding time (BT) test is one of the oldest hemostasis tests. Although it is simple, rapid, and does not require experienced laboratory personnel, the sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of the BT for detecting platelet function abnormalities are poor. Therefore, BT is not a suitable screening test for platelet function defects and predictive test for surgical bleeding. Although the PFA-100/200 cannot be totally replaceable to the BT, it has been regarded as a practical and readily available platelet function screening test in clinical laboratories. However, similar to BT, PFA-100/200 has unsatisfactory diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for identifying platelet function defects, and assessing preoperative bleeding risk. In this article, the characteristics and clinical utility of BT and other platelet function tests that can be utilized for screening of platelet function defects will be briefly reviewed and the efficient way to use these tests will be suggested.

Keyword

Bleeding time; Inherited platelet disorder; Platelet function tests; Platelet function analyzer; PFA-100; PFA-200

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A representative of clinically possible situations according to PFA-100/200 closure time with C/Epi and C/ADP cartridges (modified from [25]). Abbreviations: C/Epi, collagen-epinephrine; C/ADP, collagen-adenosine diphosphate; vWD, von Willebrand disease.

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