“Haemostasis time”, a modified bleeding time test and its comparison with the duke and IVY/template bleeding times

Summary

The occlusion time (“haemostasis time” — HT) of a thin, short cannula inserted into the cubital vein, was compared with the skin bleeding times of the Duke and Ivy/template techniques. 25 male and 25 female volunteers without a history of bleeding were divided into 5 equally large age groups ranging from 10 to over 50 years of age. They exhibited a range of 46 s–6 min 38 s (95% tolerance interval), while the Duke and Ivy/template bleeding times, which were simultaneously determined, corresponded to values given by other authors.

HT is different from the skin bleeding times in that endothelium is replaced by a standard foreign surface which allows better standardization of the method. Similar results were obtained with HT compared to the skin bleeding times. These and a similar, non-significant heparin response with all three techniques suggest that HT is not more influenced by clotting factors than the Duke and Ivy/template bleeding times and, indeed, may be regarded as a bleeding time modification. HT, like both of the skin bleeding times, reflected lowered platelet counts and is even more sensitive in this respect. As tested in a group of 20 male and 20 female volunteers, HT showed a significant prolongation two hours after ingestion of 1 g aspirin. While male individuals exhibited longer bleeding times than females with the Ivy/template technique (sex-related difference p=0.01), no male to female differences were found both with HT and the Duke bleeding time.

HT is easy to perform, inexpensive, leaves no scars and is safe even for the patient with severe bleeding. Moreover, compared to the skin bleeding times, it permits a differential evaluation of vessel wall and tissue effects.