Bleeding Time
Purpose
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Screening test for congenital and acquired disorders of platelet function.
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Screening test for vonWillebrand's disease.
Method
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A spring loaded device with a blade is used to make a small incision in
the skin. The timer is started.
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Filter paper discs are used to adsorb droplets of blood at regular intervals.
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The time required for bleeding to cease is the Bleeding Time.
Interpretation
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Prolonged Bleeding Times are usually due to:
- Aspirin and other drugs that interfere with platelet function.
- Congenital or acquired disorders of platelet function.
- vonWillebrand Disease - can further work-up by measuring PTT, Factor
VIII activity, Factor VIII antigen, and Ristocetin cofactor activity.
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