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Understanding Platelets: Functions, Disorders, and Clinical Implications

Platelets are small, colorless, anucleate bodies in mammalian blood vital for clotting. Produced by megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, each can yield 5,000 to 10,000 platelets, which survive approximately 10 days before being destroyed in the spleen. Normal platelet counts range from 150,000 to 300,000 per microliter. Disorders include thrombocytopenia (low count with risks like easy bruising and bleeding) and thrombocytosis (high count, potentially leading to clots). Effective diagnosis and management are essential, especially for patients on anticoagulant therapy.

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Understanding Platelets: Functions, Disorders, and Clinical Implications

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  1. Platelets Matea Mrčelić, 2nd year University of Zagreb, School of Medicine2013/2014 Mentor: A. Žmegač Horvat

  2. Definition Small colorless anucleate disk-like body of mammalian blood that assists in blood clotting

  3. Process of differentiation helped and accelerated by thrombopoietin Each megakaryocyte produces 5,000 – 10,000 platelets Last step of thrombopoiesis - in bone marrow or in circulation Lifespan: 10 days, old platelets destroyed in spleen

  4. Function

  5. Platelet count • Included in complete blood count • Normal range: 150,000 – 300,000 per microliter • Can be combined with platelet function test • Useful test for patients receiving anticoagulant therapy

  6. Thrombocytopenia • Decrease of plateletcount - below 50,000 per microliter •  Symptoms: easy bruising, frequent bleeding from the gums, nose, or GI tract, thrombocytopenic purpura • Cause: inherited, medications, chemotherapy, alcoholism • Treatment: splenectomy or blood transfusion

  7. Easy bruising Thrombocytopenic purpura

  8. Thrombocytosis • Having more than 450,000 platelets • Primary and secondary – difference in causes • Symptoms: spontaneous blood clots in the arms and legs, which if untreated can lead to heart attack and stroke • Treatment for primary thrombocytosis: plateletpheresis

  9. References • Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 11th Edition • http://www.platelet-research.org/1/function_hemo.htm# • http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heart_vascular_institute/clinical_services/centers_excellence/womens_cardiovascular_health_center/patient_information/health_topics/platelets.html

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