Ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation

Last updated: Friday, 02, April, 2004

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Item Process
Specimen

5-10 mL blood in citrate (collected by laboratory).

Method

See Platelet aggregation/release.

Reference Interval

Consult laboratory.

Application

Investigation of patients with a history suggestive of an inherited bleeding disorder.

Interpretation

An insensitive test for reduced levels of von Willebrand factor (classical von Willebrand’s disease). However, the test is useful for the detection of variant von Willebrand’s disease (especially Type 2 VWD and pseudo [platelet-type] VWD).

Ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation (RIPA) is absent in Bernard Soulier syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive bleeding disorder. This is due to the absence of the receptor for ristocetin on the platelet surface.

Reference

Favaloro EJ. Clin Haematol 2001; 14: 299-319.

Rodeghiero F et al. Thromb Haemost 1990; 64: 349-352.