Adequate consensus (≥70% approval) on guidelines for light transmission platelet aggregometry was achieved for 100% of recommendations by QMP-LS laboratories and 89% by NASCOLA laboratories.
The developed consensus guidelines provide North American laboratories with standardized recommendations for performing and interpreting light transmission platelet aggregometry.
Platelet function testing is important for the diagnostic evaluation of common and rare bleeding disorders. Our study goals were to promote best practices and reduce unnecessary testing variances by developing North American guidelines on platelet function testing. Guidelines were developed by consensus for expert recommendations (minimum level for approval, 70%) that included recommendations on the evaluation and interpretation of light transmission platelet aggregometry (LTA). To assess consensus, medical opinions on recommendations were gathered from diagnostic laboratories that perform LTA, in collaboration with the Quality Management Program-Laboratory Services (QMP-LS) in Ontario, Canada (10 laboratories), and the North American Specialized Coagulation Laboratory Association (NASCOLA; 47 laboratories, 5 overlapping the QMP-LS group). Adequate consensus was achieved for all and 89% of recommendations for the QMP-LS and NASCOLA groups, respectively. The recommendations adopted provide North American laboratories with additional guidance on platelet function testing, including how to interpret LTA abnormalities.
Hayward et al. (2010) studied Bleeding disorders (n=52). Consensus guidelines on platelet function testing using LTA was evaluated on Adequate consensus on expert recommendations (minimum level for approval, 70%). Adequate consensus (≥70% approval) on guidelines for light transmission platelet aggregometry was achieved for 100% of recommendations by QMP-LS laboratories and 89% by NASCOLA laboratories.