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Compliance with prophylactic platelet transfusion trigger in haematological patients
Author(s) -
Eikenboom J. C. J.,
Van Wordragen R.,
Brand A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
transfusion medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1365-3148
pISSN - 0958-7578
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3148.2005.00547.x
Subject(s) - medicine , platelet , platelet transfusion , compliance (psychology) , anesthesia , prophylactic treatment , intensive care medicine , surgery , psychology , social psychology
Summary. The aim of prophylactic platelet transfusions in haemato‐oncologic patients with thrombocytopenia is to prevent bleeding. Currently, a platelet transfusion trigger of 10 × 10 9 L − 1 is considered to be safe. Transfusion compliance with this trigger can save costs. To investigate the compliance with this trigger of 10 × 10 9 L − 1 , we have evaluated 1447 platelet transfusions given during a period of 1 year to haematological patients. In half of the transfusions, there had been compliance with the trigger of 10 × 10 9 L − 1 . About three‐quarters of all platelet transfusions were given at platelet counts ≤20 × 10 9 L − 1 . Transfusions at levels >20 × 10 9 L − 1 were usually performed because of bleeding, scheduled interventions or concurrent anticoagulant therapy. We conclude that compliance with the prophylactic platelet transfusion trigger of 10 × 10 9 L − 1 was about 50%; however, deviation from the trigger was partly explained by risk factors that justify a higher transfusion trigger.