Introduction to Veterinary Hematology A-7
Platelet aggregation is common, particularly in feline spe-
cies, and is often depicted by a flattened, lumpy histogram,
as shown at right. This effect can be minimized with proper
sample collection and vortex mixing of the sample (up to 30
seconds) before analysis.
The analyzer calculates the volumetric ratio of PLTs in whole blood as follows:
PCT
percent
= (PLT x MPV) / 10
PCT
absolute
= PCT
percent
/ 100
Typically, PCT = 0.003 = 0.3%
Platelet Distribution Width — PDW —
is a measure of platelet anisocytosis, the degree of size vari-
ation. In a healthy sample, platelets demonstrate a Log normal distribution. PDW can be characterized
by a standard deviation (PDW-SD) or a coefficient of variation (PDW-CV) represented as a percentage.
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