Acquired platelet function defect

Blood clot formation

Blood clotting normally occurs when there is damage to a blood vessel. Platelets immediately begin to adhere to the cut edges of the vessel and release chemicals to attract even more platelets. A platelet plug is formed, and the external bleeding stops.Next, small molecules, called clotting factors, cause strands of blood-borne materials, called fibrin, to stick together and seal the inside of the wound. Eventually, the cut blood vessel heals and the blood clot dissolves after a few days.

Also known as: Acquired qualitative platelet disorders and Acquired disorders of platelet function

Definition

Acquired platelet function defects are diseases or conditions that cause the blood elements needed for blood clotting (platelets) to not work properly. The term "acquired" means these diseases or conditions are not inherited, but instead develop independently in a person.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

With platelet disorders, there may be too many or too few platelets, or platelets that do not function well. Any platelet disorder affects blood clotting.

These disorders can be caused by diseases that are present at birth (congenital), or they may develop because of another disease or condition. In many cases, the platelet count may be normal or even high, but there will be evidence of a bleeding disorder.

Disorders that can cause problems in platelet function include:

Other causes include:

Symptoms

Signs and tests

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at the cause of the problem.

  • Bone marrow disorders (which have abnormally high numbers of platelets) are treated with platelet transfusions or by removing platelets from the blood and replacing them with donated platelets (plateletpheresis)
  • Kidney failure is treated with dialysis or a drug called ddAVP
  • Platelet problems caused by medication are treated by stopping the medication

Expectations (prognosis)

Treating the cause of the problem usually corrects the defect.

Complications

  • Prolonged bleeding
  • Severe anemia

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider:

  • If you have bleeding and do not know the cause
  • If your symptoms get worse or do not improve after you are treated for an acquired platelet function defect

Prevention

Using medications carefully can reduce the risk of drug-related acquired platelet function defects. Treating other disorders may also reduce the risk. Some cases are not preventable.

References

McMillan R. Hemorrhagic disorders: Abnormalities of platelet and vascular function. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 179.

See also:

  • Disease

    Thrombocytopenia

    Thrombocytopenia is any disorder in which there is an abnormally low amount of platelets. Platelets are parts of the blood that help blood to clot. This condition is sometimes associated with abnormal bleeding.

  • Disease

    Polycythemia vera

    Polycythemia vera is an abnormal increase in the number of blood cells (primarily red blood cells) produced by the bone marrow.

  • Disease

    Acute kidney failure

    Kidney anatomy

    Acute (sudden) kidney failure is the sudden loss of the ability of the kidneys to remove waste and concentrate urine without losing .

  • Disease

    Anemia

    Red blood cells, sickle cell

    Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. See also:

  • Disease

    Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

    Bone marrow aspiration

    Chronic myelogenous leukemia is that starts inside bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones that helps form blood cells. The cancer grows from cells that produce white blood cells. See also:

  • Disease

    Multiple myeloma

    Antibodies

    Multiple myeloma is of the plasma cells in bone marrow.

  • Disease

    Myelofibrosis

    Myelofibrosis is a disorder of the bone marrow, in which the marrow is replaced by scar (fibrous) tissue.

  • Test

    Platelet count

    A platelet count is a test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets help the blood clot. They are smaller than red or white blood cells.

Review date:
March 2, 2009
Reviewed by:
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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