Platelet Transfusion

Key points

Introduction

Platelets are commonly transfused blood components in many clinical settings, either therapeutically to manage acute hemorrhage or prophylactically to prevent bleeding when the platelet count decreases to less than a certain threshold or before a procedure. Platelets maintain hemostasis by controlling hemorrhage after blood vessel endothelial disruption. This process involves platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation to form a platelet plug at the site of injury, thus maintaining vascular integrity. ¹

According to the American Red Cross, approximately 7000 units of platelets are transfused daily in the United States. ² The demand for platelets has increased in spite of the unchanging prophylactic platelet transfusion thresholds. ³ Some factors that could have contributed to the increase in platelet demand are a growth in the general population, an increase in the incidence of hematologic malignancies in an aging population, and changing practices in managing hematologic malignancies. ⁴ It is estimated that two-thirds of platelet components are used in managing patients with hematologic malignancies. ⁵

Some platelet transfusion guidelines have been developed 678 ; however, platelet transfusion practices are still heterogeneous because the available transfusion guidelines are not consistently followed and their implementation may be challenging in some practices. ⁹ In addition, these guidelines either lack recommendations or differ in the platelet threshold recommendations in some clinical settings, such as surgery and invasive procedures. 678 When deciding on platelet transfusions, physicians are encouraged to consider the possible adverse events of transfusion, and the costs and labor associated with platelet acquisition. It is worth noting that platelet triaging processes followed by blood banks to maintain an adequate inventory can sometimes affect the decision to transfuse platelets. This article presents an update on platelet transfusion, focusing on transfusion guidelines and platelet thresholds in different clinical settings.