EVALUATION OF BLEEDING DISORDERS - A DETAILED HISTORY AND LABORATORY TESTS PROVIDE CLUES

A single optimal screening laboratory test for hemostasis would evalua te vascular, platelet, coagulation, and fibrinolytic functions. Unfort unately, such a test does not exist. The key factor in determining the presence of a bleeding diathesis is obtaining a detailed patient hist ory. Results of coagulation tests should always be interpreted in the context of such a history. Screening tests include platelet count, PTT and PT. Subsequent investigations depend on the results of these test s.