Bleeding time is a medical test done to assess the function of a person's platelets. It involves making a patient bleed, then timing how long it takes for them to stop bleeding using a stopwatch or other suitable devices.
| Bleeding time | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Haematology |
| MeSH | D001760 |
| MedlinePlus | 003656 |
The term template bleeding time is used when the test is performed to standardized parameters.
A newer alternative to the traditional bleeding time test is the platelet function screen performed on the PFA-100 analyzer.[1]
Usage
editThe template bleeding time test is a method used when other more reliable and less invasive tests for determining coagulation are not available.[2] Historically, it was used whenever physicians needed information about platelet activation.[3]
Process
editThe test involves cutting the underside of the subject's forearm, in an area where there is no hair or visible veins. The cut is of a standardized width and depth, and is done quickly by a template device.[4]
IVY method
editThe IVY method is the traditional format for this test. While both the IVY and Duke's method require the use of a sphygmomanometer, or blood pressure cuff, the IVY method is more invasive than the Duke method, utilizing an incision on the ventral side of the forearm, whereas the Duke method involves puncture with a lancet or special needle. In the IVY method, the blood pressure cuff is placed on the upper arm and inflated to 40 mmHg. A lancet or scalpel blade is used to make a shallow incision that is 1 millimeter deep on the underside of the forearm.[5]
A standard-sized incision is made around 10 mm long and 1 mm deep. The time from when the incision is made until all bleeding has stopped is measured and is called the bleeding time. Every 30 seconds, filter paper or a paper towel is used to draw off the blood.
The test is finished when bleeding has stopped.[6]
A prolonged bleeding time may be a result from decreased number of thrombocytes or impaired blood vessels. However, the depth of the puncture or incision may be the source of error.
Normal values fall between 3 – 10 minutes depending on the method used.
A disadvantage of Ivy's method is closure of puncture wound before stoppage of bleeding.[7]
Duke's method
editWith the Duke's method, the patient is pricked with a special needle or lancet, preferably on the earlobe[8] or fingertip, after having been swabbed with alcohol. The prick is about 3–4 mm deep. The patient then wipes the blood every 30 seconds with a filter paper. The test ceases when bleeding ceases. The usual time is about 2–5 minutes.
This method is not recommended and cannot be standardized because it can cause a large local hematoma.[7]
Interpretation
editBleeding time may be affected by platelet function, certain vascular disorders and von Willebrand Disease—not by other coagulation factors such as haemophilia. Diseases that may cause prolonged bleeding time include thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), Bernard-Soulier disease, and Glanzmann's thrombasthenia.[9]
Aspirin and other cyclooxygenase inhibitors can significantly prolong bleeding time. While warfarin and heparin have their major effects on coagulation factors, an increased bleeding time is sometimes seen with use of these medications as well.
People with von Willebrand disease usually experience increased bleeding time, as von Willebrand factor is a platelet adhesion protein, but this is not considered an effective diagnostic test for this condition.[9]
It is also prolonged in hypofibrinogenemia.[10]
In popular culture
editIn the British comedy film Doctor in the House (1954), Sir Lancelot Spratt, the intimidating chief of surgery played by James Robertson Justice is asking instructional questions of his medical students. He asks a young student, who has been distracted by a pretty nurse, what "the bleeding time" is. The student looks at his watch and answers "Ten past ten, sir."
References
edit- ^ Alhaj, Dana; Hagedorn, Nikola; Cuntz, Franziska; Reschke, Madlen; Schuldes, Joerg; Ruthenberg, Juliane; Bakchoul, Tamam; Greinacher, Andreas; Holzhauer, Susanne (2024). "ISTH bleeding assessment tool and platelet function analyzer in children with mild inherited platelet function disorders". European Journal of Haematology. 113 (1): 54–65. doi:10.1111/ejh.14198. ISSN 0902-4441. PMID 38549165.
- ^ American Society for Clinical Pathology, "Five Things Doctors and Patients Should Question", Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation, American Society for Clinical Pathology, retrieved August 1, 2013, which cites
- Lehman, C. M.; Blaylock, R. C.; Alexander, D. P.; Rodgers, G. M. (2001). "Discontinuation of the bleeding time test without detectable adverse clinical impact". Clinical Chemistry. 47 (7): 1204–1211. doi:10.1093/clinchem/47.7.1204. PMID 11427450.
- Peterson, P.; Hayes, T. E.; Arkin, C. F.; Bovill, E. G.; Fairweather, R. B.; Rock Jr, W. A.; Triplett, D. A.; Brandt, J. T. (1998). "The preoperative bleeding time test lacks clinical benefit: College of American Pathologists' and American Society of Clinical Pathologists' position article". Archives of Surgery. 133 (2): 134–139. doi:10.1001/archsurg.133.2.134. PMID 9484723.
- Lind, S. E. (1991). "The bleeding time does not predict surgical bleeding". Blood. 77 (12): 2547–2552. doi:10.1182/blood.V77.12.2547.2547. PMID 2043759.
- ^ Peterson, P.; Hayes, T. E.; Arkin, C. F.; Bovill, E. G.; Fairweather, R. B.; Rock Jr, W. A.; Triplett, D. A.; Brandt, J. T. (1998). "The preoperative bleeding time test lacks clinical benefit: College of American Pathologists' and American Society of Clinical Pathologists' position article". Archives of Surgery. 133 (2): 134–139. doi:10.1001/archsurg.133.2.134. PMID 9484723.
- ^ Quiroga, T.; Goycoolea, M.; Muñoz, B.; Morales, M.; Aranda, E.; Panes, O.; Pereira, J.; Mezzano, D. (2004). "Template bleeding time and PFA-100® have low sensitivity to screen patients with hereditary mucocutaneous hemorrhages: comparative study in 148 patients". Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2 (6): 892–898. doi:10.1111/j.1538-7836.2004.00693.x. PMID 15140124.
- ^ Burns, E. R.; Lawrence, C. (1989). "Bleeding time. A guide to its diagnostic and clinical utility". Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 113 (11): 1219–1224. ISSN 0003-9985. PMID 2535679.
- ^ "Blood Chemistries". Archived from the original on August 14, 2007. Retrieved 2009-01-02.
- ^ a b Dg, Dayyal (2016). "BLEEDING TIME (BT) AND CLOTTING TIME (CT)". BioScience. ISSN 2521-5760.
- ^ Schafer, Andrew I.; Loscalzo, Joseph (2003). Thrombosis and hemorrhage. Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 397. ISBN 978-0-7817-3066-2.
- ^ a b Mehic, Dino; Assinger, Alice; Gebhart, Johanna (2024-07-01). "Utility of Global Hemostatic Assays in Patients with Bleeding Disorders of Unknown Cause". Hämostaseologie (in German). doi:10.1055/a-2330-9112. ISSN 0720-9355. PMID 38950624.
- ^ "Bleeding Time". Archived from the original on September 14, 2006. Retrieved 2009-01-02.