Bleeding Time

[Silverback]

How can you have normal clotting time and normal platelet count but have prolonged bleeding time with excessive aspirin ingestion? what is the cause? if you have bleeding, wouldn't the normal clotting time prevent it from being prolonged bleeding?

 

[ChrisM07]

Where did you read this? Asprin is a cyclooxygenase (COX) 1/2 inhibitor that prevents the production of thromboxane that is involved in platelet aggregation so it should leave the person with reduced clotting ability when taken.

 

[wahaha]

How can you have normal clotting time and normal platelet count but have prolonged bleeding time with excessive aspirin ingestion? what is the cause? if you have bleeding, wouldn't the normal clotting time prevent it from being prolonged bleeding?

PT/PTT measure secondary hemostasis(the clotting factors). They are independent of platelets when it comes to these test. Aspirin affects function and not the count as the above poster mentioned. Platelets form the primary plug and factors enhance it.