Platelet transfusion

Platelet Transfusion

Platelet transfusion (pronunciation: /ˈpleɪtlɪt trænsˈfjuːʒən/) is a medical procedure that involves the infusion of platelets into a patient's bloodstream.

Etymology

The term "platelet transfusion" is derived from the English words "platelet", which refers to the small, colorless cell fragments in our blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding, and "transfusion", which originates from the Latin word "transfusio" meaning "pouring over".

Procedure

Platelet transfusion is typically performed in a hospital or clinical setting. The procedure involves the intravenous infusion of platelets, usually sourced from donated blood. The platelets can be administered as a single-donor (apheresis) platelet unit, or as a pooled whole-blood derived platelet unit.

The primary indication for platelet transfusion is to prevent or treat bleeding in patients with thrombocytopenia or platelet function defects. Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of thrombocytes, also known as platelets, in the blood.

Related Terms

Thrombocytopenia: A medical condition characterized by a low platelet count.
Apheresis: The process of removing a specific component of the blood, such as platelets, and returning the remaining components to the donor.
Intravenous Infusion: The administration of fluids or medication directly into the bloodstream via a vein.
Blood Donation: The process of voluntarily having blood drawn for storage in a blood bank or for transfusion to a specific individual.

Risks and Complications

While platelet transfusion is generally safe, there are potential risks and complications. These may include transfusion reactions, transmission of infections, and alloimmunization, which is an immune response to foreign antigens.