Evidence-Based Platelet Transfusion Guidelines

Transfused platelets (plts) are either pooled random-donor platelet (plt) concentrates or single-donor apheresis plts. When stored for 5 days, all of these products are equally efficacious. A 10,000/µL prophylactic plt transfusion trigger has been documented to be both hemostatically efficacious and cost effective in reducing plt transfu-sion requirements. The optimal plt dose/transfusion is being evaluated in an ongoing clinical trial. Therapeutic plt transfusions to control or prevent bleeding with trauma or surgical procedures require higher transfu-sion triggers of 100,000/µL for neurosurgical proce-dures and between 50,000/µL and 100,000/µL for other invasive procedures or trauma. Leukoreduction has been documented to reduc