Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has become a global epidemic and has spawned multitudes of research in not only diagnosis and treatment, but also in preventive measures. As part of prevention, risk factors for CAD have been identified, such as smoking, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Inflammation has also been implicated in the aetiology of CAD. Thus, there were many studies done to investigate the value of cheap and easily available laboratory parameters such as neutrophil lymphocyte ratio and platelet volume indices in predicting the severity of the disease or the outcome of a surgical procedure.

Aims: The aim of our study is to assess the ‘abnormal platelet distribution’ instrument flag at our laboratory.

Methods: We reviewed all results of complete blood count with or without white cell differential, from our laboratory database in the month of October 2019. Data on erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelet parameters were collected and tabulated. We were using Sysmex XN550. We also recorded the patient’s demographic data and clinical history, which was available on the request form.

Results: There were 1379 results of complete blood count (CBC), in which 75 (5.4%) tests flagged as ‘abnormal platelet distribution’. Some patients have the tests repeated over the period of one month. 33 patients had ‘abnormal platelet distribution’ flags. 23 (70%) of these patients had coronary artery disease and/ or end stage renal failure. The means haemoglobin, white blood cell and platelet counts were 11.8g/dL, 8.5 x 10⁹/L and 187x 10⁹/L, respectively. The platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) 11.2fL and 15.7%, respectively. In about 50% of patients, the PDW and MPV were not available from the analyser.

Conclusions: In conclusion, abnormal platelet distribution may suggest presence of coronary artery disease but can also be a transient finding in some patients.

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ISTH Congress Abstracts - https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/evaluation-of-analyser-flag-abnormal-platelet-distribution-in-routine-complete-blood-count-cbc/