THROMBOCYTOPATHY

also called Thrombocytasthenia, any of several blood disorders characterized by abnormal blood platelets, the dysfunction of these platelets results in prolonged bleeding time, defective clot formation, and a tendency to hemorrhage. Inherited thrombocytopathies include von Willebrand's disease (q.v.); thrombasthenia (also called Glanzmann's disease), characterized by abnormal clot retraction and defective platelet aggregation; and BernardSoulier syndrome, characterized by unusually large platelets. In addition, thrombocytopathy is sometimes seen in cases of Down's syndrome and WiskettAldrich syndrome. Acquired thrombocytopathy has been known to be associated with such disorders as cirrhosis, leukemia, pernicious anemia, scurvy, and uremia. Temporary platelet dysfunction is sometimes induced by such drugs as antihistamines, aspirin, indomethacin, phenothiazines, phenylbutazone, and tricyclic antidepressants. The only known treatment for congenital thrombocytopathy is platelet transfusion to control bleeding. For acquired thrombocytopathies, cure of the underlying disease usually brings improved platelet function.