Bleeding time is a medical test done on someone to assess their platelet function, count and integrity of the blood vessels

Ivy method The Ivy method is the traditional format for this test. Ivy method requires the use of a sphygmomanometer, or blood pressure cuff, the Ivy method utilize an incision on the ventral side of the forearm. In the Ivy method, the blood pressure cuff is placed on the upper arm and inflated to 40 mmHg.

A lancet or scalpel blade is used to make a shallow incision that is 1 millimeter deep on the underside of the forearm. A standard-sized incision is made around 10 mm(1cm) long and 1 mm deep. The time from when the incision is made until all bleeding has stopped is measured and is called the bleeding time. Every 30 seconds, filter paper or a paper towel is used to draw off the blood. The test is finished when bleeding has stopped completely.

A blood pressure cuff is placed on the upper arm and inflated and then deflated to 40. Two incisions are made on the lower arm. These are about 10 mm (less than 1/2 inch) long and 1 mm deep (just deep enough to cause minimal bleeding).blood pressure The blood pressure cuff is immediately deflated to 40. Blotting paper is touched to the cuts every 30 seconds until the bleeding stops. The length of time it takes for the cuts to stop bleeding is recorded.

Normal values fall between minutes.

Duke Method With the Duke method, the patient is pricked with a special needle or lancet, preferably on the earlobe or fingertip, after having been swabbed with alcohol. The prick is about 3-4 mm deep. The patient then wipes the blood every 30 seconds with a filter paper. The test completed when bleeding ceased.

Normal values fall between minutes

Interpretation Bleeding time is affected by platelet function, certain vascular disorders and von Willebrand Disease -not by other coagulation factors such as hemophilia. Diseases that cause prolonged bleeding time include thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), Bernard-Soulier disease, and Glanzmann's thrombasthenia.

Aspirin and other cyclooxygenase inhibitors can prolong bleeding time significantly. While warfarin and heparin have their major effects on coagulation factors.

People with von Willebrand disease usually experience increased bleeding time, as von Willebrand factor is a platelet agglutination protein, but this is not considered an effective diagnostic test for this condition. It is also prolonged in hypofibrinogenemia.