The Phantom Platelet Problem: Unmasking Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA)-Induced Pseudo-Thrombocytopenia.

Lim, ECN; Lim, CED

The Phantom Platelet Problem: Unmasking Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA)-Induced Pseudo-Thrombocytopenia.

Lim, ECN Lim, CED

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Publisher:: Springer Nature
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Cureus, 2025, 17, (3), pp. e81211
Issue Date:: 2025-03

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lim, ECN
dc.contributor.author	Lim, CED
dc.date.accessioned	2026-02-03T08:08:26Z
dc.date.available	2025-03-25
dc.date.available	2026-02-03T08:08:26Z
dc.date.issued	2025-03
dc.identifier.citation	Cureus, 2025, 17, (3), pp. e81211
dc.identifier.issn	2168-8184
dc.identifier.issn	2168-8184
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/192746
dc.description.abstract	Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-induced pseudo-thrombocytopenia (EDTA-PTCP) is an artefact caused by EDTA-dependent platelet clumping in laboratory testing. Unrecognized cases may lead to unnecessary investigations, diagnostic confusion, and inappropriate medical management. We present a case of EDTA-PTCP, a condition that is still commonly overlooked in clinical practice. A clinical suspicion should always be raised when a drop in platelet count in the blood is identified among otherwise asymptomatic patients. To confirm the diagnosis, serial platelet counts on alternative anticoagulants, i.e., citrate or heparin, and blood smear studies to check for platelet clumping have to be performed. EDTA-PTCP awareness is vital to prevent patients from unnecessary medical procedures and investigations. Early recognition of this diagnostic artefact and its treatment using the appropriate diagnostic methods will help clinicians avoid misinterpreting laboratory findings. This leads to precise management of affected patients and reduces unnecessary patient anxiety, mismanagement, and healthcare costs.
dc.format	Electronic-eCollection
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Springer Nature
dc.relation.ispartof	Cureus
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.7759/cureus.81211
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	32 Biomedical and clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	42 Health sciences
dc.title	The Phantom Platelet Problem: Unmasking Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA)-Induced Pseudo-Thrombocytopenia.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	17
utslib.location.activity	United States
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-02-03T08:08:24Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	17
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-induced pseudo-thrombocytopenia (EDTA-PTCP) is an artefact caused by EDTA-dependent platelet clumping in laboratory testing. Unrecognized cases may lead to unnecessary investigations, diagnostic confusion, and inappropriate medical management. We present a case of EDTA-PTCP, a condition that is still commonly overlooked in clinical practice. A clinical suspicion should always be raised when a drop in platelet count in the blood is identified among otherwise asymptomatic patients. To confirm the diagnosis, serial platelet counts on alternative anticoagulants, i.e., citrate or heparin, and blood smear studies to check for platelet clumping have to be performed. EDTA-PTCP awareness is vital to prevent patients from unnecessary medical procedures and investigations. Early recognition of this diagnostic artefact and its treatment using the appropriate diagnostic methods will help clinicians avoid misinterpreting laboratory findings. This leads to precise management of affected patients and reduces unnecessary patient anxiety, mismanagement, and healthcare costs.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/192746