plateletpheresis

Plateletpheresis is a specialized apheresis procedure used to collect platelets from a donor or patient. In this process, blood is drawn and anticoagulated, circulated through an automated separator that removes platelets and concentrates them into a collection bag, while the remaining components are returned to the donor. The resulting product, a single-donor platelet unit, provides a high-dose platelet transfusion and reduces exposure to multiple donors.

The procedure uses citrate anticoagulant and a continuous-flow centrifuge. It typically lasts one to two hours. A single-donor unit contains roughly 3 × 10^11 platelets, enough for a therapeutic transfusion, and products can be prepared in higher doses if needed. The collection may include a small amount of plasma and is designed to minimize loss of red cells and other components.

Indications include collecting platelets for transfusion in recipients and the management of patients who require platelet support. Platelet transfusions are used to prevent or treat bleeding in thrombocytopenia caused by chemotherapy, leukemia, bone marrow transplantation, and other conditions, and to reduce bleeding risk during surgery or invasive procedures when platelet counts are low or platelet function is impaired.

Safety considerations address both donors and recipients. Donor risks include bruising at the access site, lightheadedness, and reactions to citrate such as tingling or cramps; serious complications are rare. Risks are minimized by screening and aseptic technique. Recipient risks include transfusion reactions, alloimmunization which can reduce future response to platelets, transfusion-transmitted infections, and, rarely, transfusion-related acute lung injury. Plateletpheresis remains a standard method to obtain high-quality platelets for transfusion.