what is plateletpheresis and when is it done

Plateletpheresis is used to lower a very high platelet count in people with thrombocytosis (an increase in platelets). It can also be used to collect donated platelets to treat people with a low platelet count or a clotting disorder. Also called thrombopheresis or thrombocytopheresis.

Full Answer

What is plateletpheresis?

Plateletpheresis is a sophisticated technology by which blood is processed by an apheresis machine that uses centrifugation to remove a selected component of the blood and returns the rest to the donor. The most common use of this technology is for collection of apheresis platelets.

How do you collect platelets by apheresis?

Platelets by Apheresis. Plateletpheresis is the standard procedure by which platelets are separated from whole blood, concentrated, and collected. To remove platelets, a needle is placed in each arm. Blood flows through a needle into a machine that contains a sterile, disposable plastic kit specifically designed for this purpose.

How many platelets can you get from plateletpheresis?

It can take up to four whole blood units to harvest the amount of platelets we can get from a single plateletpheresis unit. One unit of platelets harvested from plateletpheresis can help save the lives of two or three patients. 6) What is plateletpheresis like?

How often can you donate platelets by apheresis?

Platelets by Apheresis. The interval between consecutive platelet donations at NIH is 1 month. However, because the body replaces platelets within a few days, you are allowed to give more frequently when you are donating for a relative or for a patient who responds particularly well to your platelets.

What is the difference between a platelet donor and a whole blood donor?

What is plateletpheresis in blood?

How many whole blood units are needed for plateletpheresis?

What is the first line of defense against bleeding?

How long do platelets last?

How old do you have to be to donate platelets?

Can platelet donors have nausea?

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What is plateletpheresis used for?

Platelet reduction apheresis, also known as therapeutic thrombocytapheresis or plateletpheresis, is a nonsurgical therapy that reduces the quantity of platelets in a patient's blood. Platelets (thrombocytes) are a component of the blood that are important for blood clotting.

Why do people need platelet infusions?

When platelet counts drop below a certain level (often 20,000/mcL), a patient is at risk for dangerous bleeding. Doctors consider giving a platelet transfusion when the platelet count drops to this level or even at higher levels if a patient needs surgery or is bleeding.

When should platelets be transfused?

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 >10x109/L. 2. In patients with critical bleeding requiring massive blood transfusion.

How long do platelet infusions last?

Platelet infusion duration The transfusion usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You may have it in an outpatient clinic, in a day unit, or as an inpatient. The transfusion increases the number of platelets in your blood straight away. But sometimes the benefits do not last long, and you may need more transfusions.

How risky is a platelet transfusion?

Blood transfusions are generally considered safe, but there is some risk of complications. Mild complications and rarely severe ones can occur during the transfusion or several days or more after. More common reactions include allergic reactions, which might cause hives and itching, and fever.

What cancers cause low platelets?

Certain cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma can lower your platelet count. The abnormal cells in these cancers can crowd out healthy cells in the bone marrow, where platelets are made.

What is the most common cause of low platelet count?

Decreased production of platelets Some types of anemia. Viral infections, such as hepatitis C or HIV. Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. Heavy alcohol consumption.

What is the alarming level of platelets?

What Abnormal Results Mean. A low platelet count is below 150,000 (150 × 109/L). If your platelet count is below 50,000 (50 × 109/L), your risk for bleeding is higher. Even every day activities can cause bleeding.

What is the difference between blood transfusion and platelet transfusion?

A red blood cell transfusion may be used if you have anemia or an iron deficiency. Platelets are tiny cells in the blood that help you stop bleeding. A platelet transfusion is used if your body doesn't have enough of them, possibly because of cancer or cancer treatments.

What is a critically low hemoglobin level?

A severe low hemoglobin level for men is 13.5 gm/dL or lower. For women, a severe low hemoglobin level is 12 gm/dL.

What happens if your platelets are low?

A low platelet count increases your risk of hemorrhage or severe bleeding. Excessive bleeding — whether internal or external — can be life-threatening. Many people with thrombocytopenia have mild to moderate symptoms. Platelet levels often go up when you treat the underlying cause or change medications.

Do low platelets make you feel tired?

Things to know about thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) Symptoms and signs of thrombocytopenia may include fatigue, bleeding, and others. Thrombocytopenia or low platelet count is lower than a normal number of platelets (less than 150,000 platelets per microliter) in the blood.

What is the most common cause of low platelet count?

Decreased production of platelets Some types of anemia. Viral infections, such as hepatitis C or HIV. Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. Heavy alcohol consumption.

What happens if your platelets are low?

A low platelet count increases your risk of hemorrhage or severe bleeding. Excessive bleeding — whether internal or external — can be life-threatening. Many people with thrombocytopenia have mild to moderate symptoms. Platelet levels often go up when you treat the underlying cause or change medications.

Can you live with low platelets?

Having low platelets, known as thrombocytopenia , can be life-threatening. Your body might not be able to stop blood flow if you're injured, and you could be at risk for excessive bleeding. This article discusses normal and abnormal platelet counts, some of the causes of low platelets, and symptoms you may experience.

Can extreme stress cause low platelets?

Stressful life events and anxiety usually cause an increase in platelet volume and activity through various mechanisms. Mean platelet volume (MPV), which is indicative of platelet size, is accepted as an indication of platelet activity.

Platelet Donation Questions | Red Cross Blood Services

Platelet donation is a little different than a regular whole blood donation. Here’s how: Platelets can only be donated at select American Red Cross Donation Centers and it requires an appointment.

These checklists are a composite of bullet points from (1) regulations ...

Version: July 2006 4 Infrequent Plasma Donors Checklist: General “Revision of FDA Memoradum of August 27, 1982: Requirements for Infrequent Plasma Donors”, May 10, 1995

Apheresis and random donor platelet differences are reviewed

Platelets for transfusion can be prepared either by separation of platelet concentrates from whole blood or by apheresis from single donors. Comparative studies have shown that post-transfusion increment, platelet survival and hemostatic effect are similar with either product.

Platelet Counts for Yield Calculation - PathLabTalk

We do this, as well! We collect an EDTA tube at the time that we sample for BacT/ALERT testing, weigh the "main" bag, determine if it is eligible to be split (by weight), then equilibrate the product and weigh the potential "daughter" products.

Guidance for Industry and FDA Review Staff

Contains Nonbinding Recommendations • To protect the safety of the donor, seven days should elapse after collection of a double or triple Platelets, Pheresis before the donor is eligible to ...

How long does plateletpheresis take?

Plateletpheresis usually takes about 90 minutes during which about 4000–5000 liters of the donor's blood are processed through the blood cell separator. These platelet concentrates have a volume of about 200 ml and contain about 3.5 × 1011 platelets and less than 0.5 ml of red cells. This provides a therapeutic dose of platelets for transfusion. Plateletpheresis has been used increasingly so that in the US about 80% of platelets are produced by plateletpheresis, 6 but plateletpheresis is much less common in many other countries.

How long can platelets be stored?

Room temperature platelets have been stored for up to 2 weeks with acceptable therapeutic efficacy. 102 Advantages of extended storage of platelets are improved logistics, increased inventory flexibility, and decreased cost associated with reduced outdate rates. 134 Although 7-day storage was previously approved by the FDA in the 1980s, 31 concern about the increased risk of transfusion-related sepsis with prolonged storage at room temperature led the FDA to limit platelet storage to 5 days. However, with the increased sensitivity of bacterial detection systems for platelet testing, extended storage of platelets has again become a possibility. 133,135 The FDA's position on 7-day platelet storage is currently in evolution. In 2003, the FDA approved, with restrictions, the use of specific plateletpheresis collection and storage systems for 7-day storage of platelets (COBE Spectra Apheresis System and Trima Automated Blood Collection System, Gambro BCT, Inc., Lakewood, Colo.). At this time, facilities cleared by the FDA for 7-day storage must comply with a specific protocol for bacterial testing, and approved facilities must participate in a postmarket surveillance study of the applied protocol.136

What is platelet transfusion?

Platelet transfusion is indicated for prophylactic or hemostatic therapy in individuals with acquired or congenital thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopathy. Platelet components are prepared from either whole-blood donation or apheresis collection. For whole blood–derived platelets (Platelets), the preparation method must yield at least 5.5 × 10 10 platelets per unit in at least 75% of the units tested by the manufacturing facility. With whole blood–derived platelets, typically 4 to 6 units are pooled immediately prior to transfusion, for a dose comparable to a single apheresis-derived platelet unit. For apheresis-derived platelets (Platelets, Pheresis), the collection method must yield at least 3 × 10 11 platelets per unit in at least 90% of the units tested by the manufacturing facility. Large-yield plateletpheresis collections can be divided into two separate apheresis-derived platelets units, also known as splits, as long as the platelet count in each unit is greater than or equal to 3 × 10 11. The platelet storage conditions, such as plasma volume, agitation, and temperature, must be optimized to maintain an adequate pH of greater than or equal to 6.2 in 90% of the units tested at the end of the approved storage period. As with RBCs, platelet components are often modified by leukoreduction, and for special conditions, platelets can be further modified by irradiation or washing. In addition, apheresis-derived platelets can be cross-matched or HLA-matched for alloimmunized individuals who exhibit poor platelet increments with random platelet transfusions.

What is plateletpheresis for hemorrhage?

Therapeutic plateletpheresis is generally reserved for patients with myeloproliferative disorders and hemorrhage or thrombosis associated with an increase in circulating platelets. Many centers consider using plateletpheresis when the patient's peripheral platelet count is greater than 106 /mm 3, although no consistent relationship between the level of platelet elevation and the occurrence of symptoms has been found, and no generally accepted assay of platelet dysfunction predicts which patients are at risk. A single cytapheresis procedure can lower the platelet count by 30% to 50%. Plateletpheresis can have dramatic effects for selected patients such as those with evolving digital gangrene. Attempts to maintain thrombocythemic patients at normal platelet counts by cytapheresis alone have not been successful; more practical long-term chemotherapy should be instituted concurrently. Because most patients with thrombocytosis do not develop symptoms, including patients with myeloproliferative disorders, prophylactic plateletpheresis seems unwarranted regardless of the platelet count. One possible exception involves pregnant patients with essential thrombocythemia who may be at increased risk of first trimester abortion; Periodic plateletpheresis has been used in a limited series, with weekly procedures necessary to reduce the circulating platelet number until delivery.

How are canine platelets preserved?

Cryopreserved canine platelets are collected from a single donor via plateletpheresis, and the manufacturer reports one bag contains 1 × 1011 platelets preserved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). 57 The bag also contains a small amount of fresh frozen plasma. Efficacy data on this product have not been published, but the manufacturer recommends this product be used for the treatment of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. The dose is 1 unit of frozen platelets per 10 kg of body weight. According to the manufacturer, anticipated increase in platelet count is 20,000/ μL 1 to 2 hours posttransfusion. Because the product contains DMSO, it must be infused slowly to prevent bradycardia.

Why are point of care methodologies more commonly employed for whole blood derived platelets?

Typically, point-of-care methodologies are more commonly employed for whole blood–derived platelets, because the volume necessary for bacterial culture constitutes a more significant loss to this smaller-volume platelet product. Apheresis-derived platelets, as a larger-volume product, are more amenable to sampling for bacterial culture, ...

What is the purpose of mononuclear cell collection?

These mononuclear cell concentrates may be used for direct transfusion such as in adoptive immunotherapy to prevent relapse of CML following stem cell transplantation or as the starting material for further processing as part of gene therapy or adoptive immunotherapy.

How to contact NIH for platelet donation?

Call the NIH Donor Center at Fishers Lane at (301) 496-4321 to speak to the plateletpheresis recruiter, who will answer your questions and arrange a convenient time for your donation. Open Federal holidays and select Saturdays. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

What is plateletpheresis?

Plateletpheresis is the standard procedure by which platelets are separated from whole blood, concentrated, and collected. To remove platelets, a needle is placed in each arm. Blood flows through a needle into a machine that contains a sterile, disposable plastic kit specifically designed for this purpose.

How many platelets are transfused annually?

Each year, more than 30,000 units of platelets are transfused at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center to treat patients undergoing cancer therapy; organ and tissue transplants; and other diseases that require platelet therapy.

Where is the NIH donor center?

Watch this video to learn more about the NIH Donor Center at Fishers Lane in Rockville, MD, and find out how you can become a blood and platelet donor.

Where are spleen spleens made?

Manufactured in the bone marrow and stored in the spleen, their job is to rush to the site of an injury. Once there, they form a barrier, help the damaged organ or blood vessel stop bleeding, and give the body a chance to begin healing.

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What is the significance of platelets collected by apheresis?

It has allowed the supply of a therapeutically beneficial component to grow with medical needs.

Can you donate platelets to apheresis?

Apheresis platelets could be a major step in the ultimate customization of blood collection, in which some donors would preferentially donate red blood cells, whereas others would donate platelets or plasma depending on their blood type and ability to donate frequently, and the current medical need of their donation.

Does apheresis reduce donor exposure?

The use of apheresis platelets does reduce donor exposure, but this has not been shown to be a safety advance, although it seems intuitively obvious that transfusion risk is statistically reduced in some patients requiring only a few platelet transfusions.

Is apheresis a hemostatic advance?

However, platelets collected by apheresis have not been shown to be hemostatically different from platelets separated from whole blood donations, and thus, do not represent an advance in therapeutic efficacy. The use of apheresis platelets does reduce donor exposure, but this has not been shown to be a safety advance, ...

Does apheresis reduce alloimmunization?

Support of patients by apheresis platelets may or may not reduce the risk of alloimmunization. Apheresis platelets from some equipment have less white blood cell contamination even in the absence of filtration, which may be an advantage.

How is platelet donation done at SBC?

Platelet donations at SBC are collected through a process called apheresis blood collection, or ABC. During ABC, instead of giving one pint of whole blood (as in a regular donation), an ABC donor gives only the components of blood needed for patients that day. ABC is made possible by an amazing machine that separates the components of your blood, retains certain components, and returns the rest to you.

How long before a platelet donation can you take aspirin?

You CANNOT take aspirin for 48 hours before you donate platelets, because aspirin reduces the potency and performance of your platelets.

What is the most important type of blood donation?

But another equally important type of donation is platelet donation . Platelets, which come from the bone marrow, help to induce clotting and control bleeding.

What is the smallest blood component?

Platelets are the smallest of the blood components and can only be seen under a microscope. Platelets have two states, active and non-active. Non-active platelets are shaped like small plates but when a blood vessel is damaged, the platelet receives a signal and rushes to the area to transform into its active state.

What are platelets in a patient?

Platelets, which come from the bone marrow, help to induce clotting and control bleeding. Patients who have been treated for leukemia with chemotherapy, for example, will often need to transfused with platelets. Here are a couple other fun facts about platelets: Platelets are also called thrombocytes.

What are the two states of platelets?

Platelets have two states, active and non-active . Non-active platelets are shaped like small plates but when a blood vessel is damaged, the platelet receives a signal and rushes to the area to transform into its active state. In the active state, the platelet grows long spider-like tentacles that bind to the vessel, cause a clot, and stop the bleeding.

What is an ABC donor?

During ABC, instead of giving one pint of whole blood (as in a regular donation), an ABC donor gives only the components of blood needed for patients that day. ABC is made possible by an amazing machine that separates the components of your blood, retains certain components, and returns the rest to you.

What causes thrombocythemia?

There may be no single cause for thrombocythemia. It is believed to be caused by defects in the bone marrow’s platelet-making cells.

How is thrombocythemia diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will take your medical history and give you a physical exam. You may also have tests such as:

What is the disease where the bone marrow makes too many platelets?

Thrombocythemia is a disease in which your bone marrow makes too many platelets. Platelets are blood cell fragments that help with blood clotting. Having too many platelets makes it hard for your blood to clot normally. This can cause too much clotting, or not enough clotting.

What test is done to check if your bone marrow is healthy?

Blood smear. This test checks your platelets. Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy. This may be done to see if your bone marrow is healthy. It involves taking a small sample of bone marrow fluid (aspiration) or solid bone marrow tissue (called a core biopsy). The sample is checked under a microscope.

How to stop blood clots?

Avoid smoking, which may increase blood clots. Control other health conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Avoid things that may increase bleeding, including medicines such as aspirin. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice bruising or other signs of bleeding.

Where are blood clots most often found?

Blood clots in arteries and veins, most often in the hands, feet, and brain. Bleeding from the nose, gums, and GI (gastrointestinal) tract. The symptoms of thrombocythemia may look like other blood disorders or health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

What to do if you have a follow up appointment?

If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

How does plasmapheresis stop autoimmune disease?

That eventually leads to impaired function of muscles. Plasmapheresis can stop this process by removing the plasma that contains antibodies and replacing it with new plasma.

What is plasmapheresis in medical terms?

Plasmapheresis also can refer to the plasma donation process, where the plasma is removed and the blood cells are returned to your body.

How long does plasmapheresis last?

If you’re receiving plasmapheresis as treatment, the procedure can last between one and three hours. You may need as many as five treatments per week. Treatment frequency can vary widely from condition to condition, and also depend on your overall health.

What is plasmapheresis?

Plasmapheresis is a process in which the liquid part of the blood, or plasma, is separated from the blood cells. Typically, the plasma is replaced with another solution such as saline or albumin, or the plasma is treated and then returned to your body.

What is the body's ability to identify and destroy cells?

In each of these disorders, the body has developed proteins called antibodies that are programmed to identify cells and destroy them. These antibodies are in plasma. Normally, these antibodies are directed at foreign cells that may harm the body, such as a virus.

What are the risks of taking anti-clotting medication?

More serious but uncommon risks include bleeding, which results from anti-clotting medications. Other more serious risks include seizures, abdominal cramps, and tingling in the limbs.

What is the risk of blood transfer?

Infection: Most procedures involving transfer of blood into or out of the body carry a risk of infection.

Why are platelets not given in a blood transfusion?

Platelet transfusions are generally not recommended for this group of patients because the underlying cause involves antibodies that destroy platelets, therefore any newly transfused platelets will also be destroyed. Platelets transfusions may be used in emergency bleeding situations where the platelets could be used by the body before the immune system destroys them. More studies need to be done.

Why should platelets be avoided?

Platelet transfusions should be avoided in those with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) because it can worsen neurologic symptoms and acute renal failure, presumably due to creation of new thrombi as the platelets are consumed. It should also be avoided in those with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Why do you need to pool platelets for transfusion?

Pooling of whole blood platelets is often done in an "open" system where the platelet containers are connected in a way that could expose the platelets to air, and pooled platelets must be transfused promptly so that any contamination does not have time to grow.

How many platelets are harvested in thrombapheresis?

Therefore, no more than three units of platelets are generally harvested in any one sitting from a donor. Most donors will donate a "single" or "double" unit, however the occurrence of "triples" has been increasing as more suitable donors are recruited.

What is the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery?

Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery can result in destruction of a large proportion of the patient's platelets and may render the remaining viable platelets to be dysfunctional. The indications for transfusion in such patients is controversial.

Why do we need platelets from a single donor?

Collecting the platelets from a single donor also simplifies human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching, which improves the chance of a successful transfusion. Since it is time-consuming to find even a single compatible donor for HLA-matched transfusions, being able to collect a full dose from a single donor is much more practical than finding multiple compatible donors.

What is the process of collecting thrombocytes called?

Plateletpheresis (more accurately called thrombocytapheresis or thrombapheresis, though these names are rarely used) is the process of collecting thrombocytes, more commonly called platelets, a component of blood involved in blood clotting. The term specifically refers to the method of collecting the platelets, ...

What is the difference between a platelet donor and a whole blood donor?

One difference is that the platelet donor is attached to a cell separator, a computer -controlled machine that draws donor blood, removes the platelets, and returns the plasma and all other blood components back to the donor.

What is plateletpheresis in blood?

1) What is plateletpheresis? Plateletpheresis is a special form of blood donation. During plateletpheresis, only the platelets are removed from the donated blood. The term derives from the words platelet and apheresis. Apheresis is a Greek word that means extraction, removal, separation.

How many whole blood units are needed for plateletpheresis?

It can take up to four whole blood units to harvest the amount of platelets we can get from a single plateletpheresis unit. One unit of platelets harvested from plateletpheresis can help save the lives of two or three patients.

What is the first line of defense against bleeding?

Platelets are cellular blood components that help blood to clot. What is more, platelets are the body’s first line of defense against bleeding. If you sustain a cut, however small, platelets rush to the site of the injury and form a clot, a scab.

How long do platelets last?

Yes. Platelets have a life span of only 5 days, so there is a high need for a constant supply.

How old do you have to be to donate platelets?

For example, you need to be 18-60 years old and weigh no less than 110 lbs. There may be some extra blood tests to measure your platelet count and special antigen compatibility. You cannot take aspirin or any other anti-inflammatory drugs for at least 36 hours before donating platelets.

Can platelet donors have nausea?

Platelet donors may experience nausea or fatigue during plateletpheresis . The most common side effect is a tingling sensation in the lips, which is easily counteracted by administering calcium-containing antacid tablets.