Pseudothrombocytopenia Inducing Nonindicated Platelet Transfusion after Cardiac Surgery

Ceran, Enise; Schlömmer, Christine; Kröckel, Ivonne; Scheriau, Georg; Angleitner, Philipp; Steinlechner, Barbara

Pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) is an in vitro phenomenon of low platelet count caused by the agglutination of platelets, leading to false low platelet counts in automated cell counting. Typically, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) mediates this platelet clumping. PTCP has little clinical significance, but misdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary diagnostic tests and treatment. In this case report, we present a 65-year-old Caucasian female suffering from multiple complications during and after cardiac surgery. During her postoperative stay at the ICU, she was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia and an inadequate response to platelet supplementation.