Transfusion therapy of thrombocytopenia: a reappraisal

In the management of thrombocytopenia, platelet concentrated (PC) were given only to patients who had neither frank haemorrhage nor significant anaemia. Fresh whole blood (FWB) was preferred for those with the former, and platelet-rich red cell concentrate (PRC) for those with the latter complication. As a result of this approach it was found that only 6% of 412 therapy courses required PC, 37% required FWB and the remaining 57% required PRC. These are the findings of a year's survey of the requirements of patients in a predominantly urban population of approximately 1,200,000. The surprisingly high proportion of patients with complications requiring transfusion therapy, and the 24-hour availability of FWB and PRC in a metropolitan blood bank, have made PC transfusion an elective procedure and eliminated the need for a PC bank. Moreover, a better approach to treatment is available whilst a significant saving of blood donations is effected.