Platelet function and coagulation in patients with Wilson disease.

Sixteen patients with Wilson disease (hepatolenticular degeneration) were studied from the hemostatic point of view, particularly with regard to platelet function. Five of the patients had a mild bleeding tendency that was characterized by easy bruising. Moderate thrombocytopenia was observed in three of the five bleeders and in two of the others. One bleeder was thrombocytotic and hyperfibrinogenemic. Bleeding times, platelet retention and prothrombin consumption were abnormal rarely. However, 15 of the 16 patients had some abnormality of platelet aggregation: one when adenosine diphosphate was added to platelet rich plasma, three when epinephrine was added, and the remainder when collagen was added. The collagen abnormalities were delayed or absent aggregation (five patients, four of whom were bleeders) and absence of a change of shape (12 of the 16 patients). Platelet aggregation was completely normal in only one patient.