Platelet transfusion

Platelet transfusion
A bag of platelets
Clinical data
Other namesPlatelet concentrate, platelet component
ATC code
Identifiers
ChemSpider
  • none

Platelet transfusion, also known as platelet concentrate, is used to prevent or treat bleeding in people with either a low platelet count or poor platelet function.[1] Often this occurs in people receiving cancer chemotherapy.[1] Preventive transfusion is often done in those with platelet levels of less than 10 x 109/L.[2] In those who are bleeding transfusion is usually carried out at less than 50 x 109/L.[2] Blood group matching (ABO, RhD) is typically recommended before platelets are given.[2] Unmatched platelets, however, are often used due to the unavailability of matched platelets.[3] They are given by injection into a vein.[4]

Side effects can include allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, infection, and lung injury.[2] Bacterial infections are relatively more common with platelets as they are stored at warmer temperatures.[2] Platelets can be produced either from whole blood or by apheresis.[1] They keep for up to five to seven days.[1]

Platelet transfusions came into medical use in the 1950s and 1960s.[1][5] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6][7] Some versions of platelets have had the white blood cells partially removed or been gamma irradiated which have specific benefits for certain populations.[8]

  1. ^ a b c d e Fisk JM, Pisciotto PT, Snyder EL, Perrota PL (2007). "Platelets and related products". In Hillyer CD, Silberstein LE, Ness PM, Anderson KC, Roback JD (eds.). Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine: Basic Principles & Practice. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 308–310. ISBN 978-0443069819. Archived from the original on 2017-01-12.
  2. ^ a b c d e Connell NT (December 2016). "Transfusion Medicine". Primary Care. 43 (4): 651–659. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2016.07.004. PMID 27866583.
  3. ^ Josephson CD, Castillejo MI, Grima K, Hillyer CD (February 2010). "ABO-mismatched platelet transfusions: strategies to mitigate patient exposure to naturally occurring hemolytic antibodies". Transfusion and Apheresis Science. 42 (1): 83–88. doi:10.1016/j.transci.2009.10.013. PMID 20034854.
  4. ^ Flagg C (2015). "Intravenous Therapy". In Linton AD (ed.). Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 287. ISBN 978-1455776412. Archived from the original on 2017-01-12.
  5. ^ Das PC, Smit-Sibinga CT, Halie MR (2012). Supportive therapy in haematology. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 190. ISBN 978-1461325772. Archived from the original on 2017-01-10.
  6. ^ World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
  7. ^ World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
  8. ^ Hillyer CD, Silberstein LE, Ness PM, Anderson KC, Roback JD, eds. (2007). Blood Banking and Transfusion clinical Basic Principles & Practice. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 320. ISBN 978-0443069819. Archived from the original on 2017-01-12.