Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-induced pseudothrombocytopenia: The story of platelet clumps and report of three cases

Abstract

Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) induced pseudo-thrombocytopenia is an infrequent phenomenon occurring when samples are processed in an automated analyzer using EDTA as the anticoagulant. We report three cases of Pseudothrombocytopenia wherein peripheral smear evaluation and rerun in separate Haematology analyzers helped us in reaching a conclusion. The widespread use of automated instruments has led to the identification of this phenomenon. However, confirmation of PTCP can only be done under microscopic examination of the slide.