Clinical utility of closure times using the platelet function analyzer-100/200

The "platelet function analyzer" (PFA)-100 was first introduced to us in 1995. Since then, the instrument has appeared in over 50 reviews and almost 1000 publications. Recently, the PFA-100 has been "upgraded" to the PFA-200, which has transformed the user interface and electronic management, but retained the fundamental mechanics, and essentially provides the same results. The PFA-100/200 has conceivable clinical utility to screen for von Willebrand Disease (VWD) and platelet disorders, and in monitoring desmopressin (DDAVP) therapy in both, and possibly anti-platelet therapy. Its great strengths are its usage simplicity and sensitivity to conditions affecting primary hemostasis. However, as a "global" test, its limitation is that closure time (CT) test results are neither predictive of, nor specific for, any individual disorder. However, utilized properly, the PFA-100/200 reflects a valuable addition to hemostasis laboratories involved in identification or therapeutic-monitoring of disorders of primary hemostasis.