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Platelet transfusions are indicated in cases of thrombocytopenia due to decreased platelet production. They are of some use in immune thrombocytopenia when active bleeding is evident, but the clearance of transfused platelets is rapid as they are exposed to the same pathophysiologic forces as the recipient’s endogenous platelets. The risk of bleeding rises when the platelet count falls to less than 80,000/mcL (80 × 109/L), and the risk of life-threatening spontaneous bleeding increases when the platelet count is less than 5000/mcL (5 × 109/L). Because of this, prophylactic platelet transfusions are often given at these very low levels, usually when less than 10,000/mcL (10 × 109/L). Platelet transfusions are also given prior to invasive procedures or surgery in thrombocytopenic patients, and the goal is often to raise the platelet count to 50,000/mcL (50 × 109/L) or more.
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Platelets for transfusion are most commonly derived from single-donor apheresis collections (roughly the equivalent to the platelets recovered from six donations of whole blood). A single donor unit of platelets should raise the platelet count by 50,000 to 60,000 platelets per mcL (50–60 × 109/L) in a transfusion-naïve recipient without hypersplenism or ongoing platelet consumptive disorder. Transfused platelets typically last for 2 or 3 days. Platelet transfusion responses may be suboptimal with poor platelet increments and short platelet survival times. This may be due to one of several causes, including fever, sepsis, hypersplenism, DIC, large body habitus, low platelet dose in the transfusion, or platelet alloimmunization (from prior transfusions, prior pregnancy or prior organ transplantation). Many, but not all, alloantibodies causing platelet destruction are directed at HLA antigens. Patients requiring long periods of platelet transfusion support should be monitored to document adequate responses to transfusions so that the most appropriate product can be used. If random platelet transfusions prove inadequate, then the patient should be cross-matched with potential donors who might prove better able to provide adequate platelet-transfusion increments and platelet survival. Patients requiring ongoing platelet transfusions who become alloimmunized may benefit from HLA-matched platelets derived from either volunteer donors or family members.
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GRANULOCYTE TRANSFUSIONS
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Granulocyte transfusions are seldom indicated and have largely been replaced by the use of myeloid growth factors (G-CSF and GM-CSF) that speed neutrophil recovery after myelosuppressive chemotherapy. However, they may be beneficial in patients with profound neutropenia (less than 100/mcL [0.1 × 109/L]) who have gram-negative sepsis, progressive soft tissue infection, or invasive fungal infection despite optimal antibiotic therapy. In these cases, it is clear that progressive infection is mostly due to failure of host defenses, generally neutropenia combined with disruption of natural barriers (such as the oral or gastrointestinal mucosa or the skin). In such situations, daily granulocyte transfusions may be considered and continued until the neutrophil count rises to above 500/mcL (0.5 × 109/L). Granulocytes for transfusion must be derived from ABO matched donors. Although HLA matching is ...