Platelet Function Analysis Using PFA-100 Tests in Patients With Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding:

Abstract

Aim. To investigate platelet function in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods. We prospectively studied platelet function using the PFA-100 test in a convenience sample of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding admitted to the medical ICU from July 2010 to August 2011. Patients on warfarin or heparin were excluded. Results. In all, 41 patients (30 men) participated in the study. The mean age was 55 years (range 25-74 years). Most patients (31/41) presented with blood in their stools as at least one of their presenting symptoms. Fourteen of the 41 patients were on aspirin, 4 on nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, and 5 on clopidogrel or other antiplatelet drugs. The average hemoglobin was 9.2 g/dL (range 5.1-16.1 g/dL). The average platelet count was 170 kU/L (range 41-496 kU/L). The average international normalized ratio was 1.37(range 1.01-2.08). Analysis of platelet function was performed in 9 patients (22%). These patients had closure times which ranged from 98 to >300 seconds wit...