Granulocyte transfusions--a review for the intensive care physician

In order to achieve the maximum therapeutic benefit in the treatment of malignancies, doses of chemotherapeutic agents are pushed to the point of severe marrow toxicity. This aggressive therapy can lead to iatrogenic complications including haemorrhage and sepsis due to the depletion of platelets and granulocytes. Prior to the advent of platelet transfusions, haemorrhage was the leading cause of death in these patients. Advances in blood banking and the availability of platelet transfusions have markedly decreased the incidence of fatal haemorrhage. As a result, infection has become the leading cause of death in patients with marrow failure. Although the risk of infection in patients with neutropenia has been well documented, the role of granulocyte transfusions in the treatment and prevention of these infections remains controversial. This paper will attempt to review the currently available literature regarding granulocyte procurement techniques and the efficacy of granulocyte transfusions.