Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid-Dependent Pseudothrombocytopenia Discovered During Preoperative Evaluation: A Case Report

Pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) can be caused by various factors, and misdiagnosing it as true thrombocytopenia can cause significant risks to the patient. When using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as an anticoagulant in a complete blood cell (CBC) test, EDTA-dependent PTCP can occur in approximately 0.1% to 0.2% of cases. Anesthesiologists review various medical findings during the preoperative evaluation process, one of which is the blood test results. PTCP can lead to unnecessary interventions or treatments before surgery, potentially harming the patient. This study presents a case of PTCP discovered during preoperative evaluation of a patient diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As anesthesiologists, ensuring the optimal condition of the patient before surgery is paramount, and this case highlights the importance of proper management and in-depth consideration when encountering patients suspected of having PTCP.