Blood, 1956, Vol. 11, No. 11, pp. 965-976.
© 1956 American Society of Hematology, Inc.
Thrombocytoasthenia and Thrombocytopathia—Old
Names and New Diseases
H. BRAUNSTEINER and
F. PAKESCH
Thrombocytoasthenia is a well defined disease, due to defective pseudopod
formation and lack of spreading of platelets, i.e., defective adhesivity in contact
with wettable surfaces. This defect persists in pathologic or normal plasma,
serum, heated serum and barium adsorbed serum. The platelets behave normally, however, in saline or plasma substitutes. There is a manifest or latent
defect of clot retraction, which can be revealed by thrombelastography. This
disturbance seems to be in relation with the primary platelet disorder, and can
not be corrected by addition of serotonin. Coagulation factors are normal.
Under the name of thrombocytopathia, possibly heterogenous diseases have
been provisionally classified into three groups. In some patients a diminution of
thromboplastic activity of platelets is ascertained. The platelets may also show
marked morphologic anomalies. This group has been designated as "thrombocytopathia." In the majority of patients a deficiency of thromboplastic activity
of platelets is only found temporarily or the results are only moderately pathologic. This group has been designated as "probable thrombocytopathia." The
third group includes patients with a normal thromboplastic activity of platelets.
As indicated with existing methods; more sensitive tests, still on trial, may give
positive results. This group has been designated as "possible thrombocytopathia."
Capillary microscopy gave normal results in patients of all three groups. The
relation to "vascular pseudohemophilia" is briefly discussed.
Submitted on February 20, 1956
Accepted on June 17, 1956
