Mean platelet volume measurement, EDTA or citrate?

Abstract

Most laboratories use EDTA for anticoagulation of whole blood prior to automated cell counting but due to platelet swelling, mean platelet volume (MPV) values may increase with its use. MPV changes may be less with acid citrate based anticoagulation. As MPV is a marker of platelet function and its precise measurement is important in a number of clinical situations, this study was performed to assess if EDTA and citrate based anticoagulated blood samples can be used interchangeably for MPV measurement. In this cross sectional descriptive study, EDTA and citrate based anticoagulated blood samples of the same patients were assessed by auto-analyzer within 1 h of sampling. In the 61 evaluated patients, there was a close correlation between MPV as measured by EDTA and citrate, but mean MPV measured from EDTA samples was 0.66 fL (9%) more than citrate. There was also a significant negative correlation between platelets count and MPV by both methods. The results of our study reveal that MPV can be measured accurately by both methods of anticoagulation; EDTA and citrate if analysis be performed within 1 h of sampling.

Value of Platelet Indices in Identifying Complete Resolution of Thrombus in Deep Venous Thrombosis Patients

“…One of the main limitations of our study is its retrospective design. It was previously shown that blood collected in EDTA tubes should be analyzed within 1 h after collection to prevent platelet swelling [33]. The medical records of our study population did not comprise any information about the processing time.…”

A review of the association of mean platelet volume and red cell distribution width in inflammation

“…39 A study in literature revealed that both EDTA and citrate can be used for accurately measurement of MPV. 40 Another issue is that, same as RDW, standardizing blood count tests is difficult and the prolongation of the time between blood sampling and assay may cause swelling of the platelets which may mislead increased MPV measurement.…”

The Role of Mean Platelet Volume in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation

“…5 Mean platelet volume disturbances reflect changes in either the level of platelet stimulation or the rate of platelet production. 6 Moreover, mean platelet volume has been used as an indicator of platelet function for inflammatory diseases, 7 and because inflammation plays a crucial role in COPD, alterations in platelet activity and consequently in the mean platelet volume are expected. Indeed, there are various studies that show a disturbance of mean platelet volume levels in subjects with stable COPD.…”