Platelet transfusion

General

• Type: Blood products
• Dosage Forms:
• Common Trade Names:

Adult Dosing

Thrombocytopenia

• 1 unit raises count by 50K

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating:
• Lactation:
• Renal Dosing
  • Adult
  • Pediatric
• Hepatic Dosing
  • Adult
  • Pediatric

Indications

Platelet Transfusion Thresholds

most if not all of the following thresholds are based on weak recommendations with low quality evidence

• <50K if planned lumbar puncture or neurosurgical procedure
• <20K if planned for central venous catheter placement (preference toward compressible site), or febrile patient
• <10K in asymptomatic patients (unless due to ITP, TTP, or HIT)

There are no firm recommendations for transfusion thresholds in acute traumatic bleeding but many providers will opt for a goal of 100K, especially if there is evidence of ICH

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug

Pharmacology

• Half-life:
• Metabolism:
• Excretion:
• Mechanism of Action:

Comments

• Transfusion should be type specific because platelets are bathed in plasma
  • Non-type specific platelets can be used but results in higher rate of complications
• Like pRBCs, platelets can be leukocyte reduced or washed

See Also

• Transfusions
• Thrombocytopenia