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High platelet counts can occur in patients with polycythemia vera (high red blood cell counts), and is an additional risk factor for complications. [ citation needed ] A very small number of people report symptoms of erythromelalgia , a burning sensation and redness of the extremities that resolves with cooling, or aspirin or both.
One common definition of thrombocytopenia requiring emergency treatment is a platelet count below 50,000/μL. [5] Thrombocytopenia can be contrasted with the conditions associated with an abnormally high level of platelets in the blood – thrombocythemia (when the cause is unknown), and thrombocytosis (when the cause is known). [6] [7]
This results in platelet activation and the formation of platelet microparticles, which initiate the formation of blood clots; the platelet count falls as a result, leading to thrombocytopenia. [1] [7] In addition, the reticuloendothelial system (mostly the spleen) removes the antibody-coated platelets, further contributing to the thrombocytopenia.
In an unknown fashion, the antibiotic ristocetin causes von Willebrand factor to bind the platelet receptor glycoprotein Ib (GpIb), so when ristocetin is added to normal blood, it causes agglutination of fixed platelets or initiates the initial agglutination phase of aggregation of live platelets. [citation needed]
Platelet concentration in the blood (i.e. platelet count), can be measured manually using a hemocytometer, or by placing blood in an automated platelet analyzer using particle counting, such as a Coulter counter or optical methods. [47] Most common blood testing methods include platelet count in their measurements, usually reported as PLT. [48]
In a typical set of rules, a platelet donor must weigh at least 50 kg (110 lb) and have a platelet count of at least 150 x 10 9 /L (150,000 platelets per mm³). [2] One unit has greater than 3×10 11 platelets. Therefore, it takes 2 liters of blood having a platelet count of 150,000/mm³ to produce one unit of platelets.
Exposure of blood to the subendothelial space initiates two processes: changes in platelets, and the exposure of subendothelial platelet tissue factor to coagulation factor VII, which ultimately leads to cross-linked fibrin formation. Platelets immediately form a plug at the site of injury; this is called primary hemostasis.
Primary polycythemias are myeloproliferative diseases affecting red blood cell precursors in the bone marrow. Polycythemia vera (PCV) (a.k.a. polycythemia rubra vera (PRV)) occurs when excess red blood cells are produced as a result of an abnormality of the bone marrow. [3] Often, excess white blood cells and platelets are also produced