Use of 'split' plateletpheresis products for alloimmunized patients

Single donor platelets obtained using the COBE Spectra were split into two halves and administered to alloimmunized patients with leukemia at two different points in time. The mean platelet yield was 6.83 x 10(11) (n = 63) with 56% of collections having yields of > 6.0 x 10(11) (i.e. twice the current AABB recommendation for an apheresis platelet transfusion). In 58 instances, the two halves were administered to the same patient 24-96 h apart. The differences in the correct increments of the split transfusions administered 24-48 h apart were not statistically significant, although there were decreased increments after 72 and 96 h of storage. In 5 instances when the CCI for first transfusion was unacceptably low, the second half was successfully transfused to another patient. This study proves it is feasible to split apheresis platelets into two transfusions, and discusses approaches to optimally use this strategy for the transfusion support of alloimmunized patients.