Platelet Aggregation and Pseudothrombocytopenia in Blood Smears

Platelet aggregation as a cause of pseudothrombocytopenia: why aggregates accumulate at the edges of blood smears and why a precise platelet count cannot be reported.

Editorial team 1 min August 18, 2023

Blood smear, platelet clumps at the edge of the preparation, indicated by arrows

Blood smear, large dense platelet aggregate among erythrocytes

Blood smear, massive platelet clumps at high magnification

🔬Platelet aggregation. ✅The most common cause of pseudothrombocytopenia. ✅Look for platelet aggregates at the edge of the smear. The probability of finding them there is much higher. ✅In this case, it is impossible to count the exact number of platelets. Therefore, reporting a numerical value in the analysis report is an error!

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