Acquired Platelet Defects

Acquired defects in platelet function are the conditions that prevent blood clotting due to extrinsic factors. They are commonly seen in clinical practice and associated with a wide variety of etiologies, e.g., medication induced, procedures, or arise from a wide range of hematological or nonhematologic diseases. The degree to which the exact underlying mechanisms are understood remains variable. These platelet defects can often present with normal laboratory parameters, and hence, the diagnosis requires an astute review of patient’s history and clinical presentation. Recognition of these qualitative defects in platelet function is very important to minimize the risk of bleeding, which can be devastating especially in the invasive procedural setting. However, in some of these diseases, patients can present with both qualitative and quantitative platelet abnormalities such as in DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation), liver diseases or hematologic malignancies.