Platelet kinetics after slow versus standard transfusions: A pilot study

BACKGROUND Platelet transfusion is required in the acute phase of some thrombocytopenic disorders in order to prevent potentially dangerous hemorrhages.The purpose of this study was to assess the increase in platelet count following a slow platelet transfusion. METHODS Patients suffering from thrombocytopenia due to various underlying diseases were enrolled in the prospective pilot feasibility trial and were randomly divided into two groups. Standard platelet transfusion was administered in one group, while slow transfusion was used in the other. The platelet count was examined at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 1 week following the transfusions. RESULTS Although the platelet count was higher following 1 hour after transfusion via the standard method, the count tended to be higher 1 week after the transfusion in the slow transfusion group. This difference, however, only turned out to be statistically significant amongst females. CONCLUSION A therapy of slow platelet transfusion might be more effective for the prevention of platelet loss. Further studies will be required to strengthen this hypothesis.