Platelet characteristics in patients with essential thrombocytosis

Background Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by an increased platelet count. ET is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, and procoagulant features of the disease may include an increased number of reactive reticulated platelets and an increased aggregation potential. We aimed to explore the association between platelet count, platelet turnover, and platelet aggregation in patients with ET. Methods We included 24 ET patients who discontinued antiplatelet therapy prior to blood sampling. Reticulated platelets were assessed as immature platelet count (IPC) and immature platelet fraction by automated flow cytometry (Sysmex XE‐5000). Platelet aggregation was investigated by impedance aggregometry (Multiplate® Analyzer) and aggregation potential by flow cytometry (NAVIOS). Results Our results showed that ET patients had increased IPC compared to healthy individuals (median 12.3 vs. median 6.9, P