What is the criteria for platelet transfusion?

1. Platelet transfusion is indicated for patients with clinically significant bleeding in whom thrombocytopenia is thought to be a major contributory factor, even if the platelet count is >10×109/L. 2. In patients with critical bleeding requiring massive blood transfusion.

When should platelets be given before surgery?

Current practice in many countries is to correct thrombocytopenia with platelet transfusions prior to surgery. Guidelines often recommend a platelet count threshold of 50 x 109/L prior to major surgery and 100 x 109/L prior to surgery involving the brain or eyes (Estcourt 2017; Kaufman 2015; NICE 2015).

What platelet count is too low for surgery?

Low platelet count, called thrombocytopenia, isn’t a concern for most surgeries unless the level is less than 50,000 per µL. A platelet level of 111,000 per µL would be considered mild thrombocytopenia. It usually wouldn’t require medical treatment and should not be a worry for surgery.

What should platelet count be for hematologic emergency?

A platelet count from 30 to 50 × 10 3 per μL rarely manifests as purpura. A count from 10 to 30 × 10 3 per μL may cause bleeding with minimal trauma. A platelet count less than 5 × 10 3 per μL may cause spontaneous bleeding and constitutes a hematologic emergency.

What should platelet count be for stable thrombocytopenia?

Patients with stable thrombocytopenia (platelet counts greater than 50 × 10 3 per μL) generally do not require activity restrictions and are able to tolerate most invasive procedures. The information is based on long-term outcomes from patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

How are platelets counted in a medical laboratory?

Our laboratory prefers a slightly more tedious procedure, which we refer to as the indirect platelet count. When a platelet count has an instrument flag or is outside our checking criteria, we utilize the Miller disc to determine the number of platelets per 1,000 RBCs.

When to check your platelet count after a transfusion?

After giving 1 unit, check the platelet count 15 minutes-1 hour after transfusion, and re-evaluate for on-going bleeding, if a second unit is needed to achieve the platelet goal. **In patients with severe thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly, or liver disease, a particular platelet goal may not be achievable, and goals will need to be lowered.