<p>Platelets are the smallest cells in the blood. They are formed in the bone-marrow and are important for the blood coagulation. Platelet tranfusions are given to patients propyhlactically before an operation but also in therapeutical purpose in connection with bleeding. It’s importent that the quality controls of the platelet concentrates are reliable.</p><p>ADVIA®60 (Bayer HealthCare) is a fully automated cell counter which uses impedance principle to count platelets in blood samples. The purpose of the study was to evaluate this new instrument for use in the blood bank of Akademiska Sjukhuset in Uppsala. The instrument was bought to be used for quality control of platelet concentrates. 30 samples from platelet concentrates, from both apheresis and from buffy coats, were analyzed 10 times each on ADVIA®60 and the coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each sample. CV variated from 0,8 % to 2,9 % which is good considering that according to Bayer HealthCare the CV should be < 5 % for thrombocytes on ADVIA®60. The instrument was newly calibrated when the study was performed. Platelet count can also be performed by immunological or optical principles.</p>

Platelets are the smallest cells in the blood. They are formed in the bone-marrow and are important for the blood coagulation. Platelet tranfusions are given to patients propyhlactically before an operation but also in therapeutical purpose in connection with bleeding. It’s importent that the quality controls of the platelet concentrates are reliable. ADVIA®60 (Bayer HealthCare) is a fully automated cell counter which uses impedance principle to count platelets in blood samples. The purpose of the study was to evaluate this new instrument for use in the blood bank of Akademiska Sjukhuset in Uppsala. The instrument was bought to be used for quality control of platelet concentrates. 30 samples from platelet concentrates, from both apheresis and from buffy coats, were analyzed 10 times each on ADVIA®60 and the coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each sample. CV variated from 0,8 % to 2,9 % which is good considering that according to Bayer HealthCare the CV should be &lt; 5 % for thrombocytes on ADVIA®60. The instrument was newly calibrated when the study was performed. Platelet count can also be performed by immunological or optical principles.