Transfusion of Platelets

Storage

• agitated at room temp (22º C) for up to 5 days
  • risk of bacterial contamination

Prescribing

• ABO matched
• because there may be some red blood cells in pack then young women often Rhesus matched as well
• Single dose - pool of 4 donors / 1 plasmapheresis donor ~ 2.4 x 10¹¹
  • should raise count by >10x10⁹/l at 1 hour

Indications

(keep level 50-80 x 10⁹/l if possible)

• acute bone marrow failure
• platelet function disorders e.g. aspirin
• acute DIC
• massive blood loss
• extracorporeal by-pass circulation

Not useful in

• chronic thrombocytopenia - unless bleeding
• prophylaxis for by pass surgery
• idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura - unless bleeding

Contra-indicated in

• heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
• thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

[ Home ] [ Up ]