Platelet transfusion: A study of methods of preparation, storage, quality control, and indications of whole blood-derived platelet concentrates

Abstract

Aims: To study the methods of preparation and storage of whole blood inferred platelet concentrates prepared by the platelet abundant plasma technique, assess the quality control (QC) parameters of whole blood inferred platelet concentrates and study the indications of platelet concentrate transfusion. Methods: The materials for the present study are a prospective study and were obtained from medico-oncological patients who underwent platelet transfusion therapy with the whole blood-derived platelet concentrates processed by platelet abundant plasma technique in the blood bank of a tertiary care hospital at Kozhikode, Kerala, India during the period of February 2018 to July 2018. The study undertaken in three parts: (1) Study of methods of preparation and storage of whole bloodinduced platelet-rich plasma (PRP) method, (2) Assessment of QC parameters of PRP platelet concentrates, and (3) Study of indications of platelet transfusion therapy in a tertiary care hospital for a period of six months. Results: In this study, 56 units of whole blood were collected and prepared 56 units of platelet concentrate. One percent of the 56 units prepared was tested of which 75% conformed to the platelet count of not less than 3.5 × 1010 and 4.5 × 1010 and 58% of units were found to have a platelet count of more than 4.5 × 1010. Hundred percent of the volume of platelet units in this study were between 40 and 70 mL and the pH value of all the units were >6.2. The white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) contamination of all the units in this study were less than 1.5 × 109/L and 0.1 × 1012/L, respectively. Eighty-six percent of platelet concentrate units in this study were transfused to patients with hematological malignancies and the remaining 19%, 3%, 3% were transfused to nonhematologic malignancies, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and disseminated infections, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, it was revealed that only minority patients with malignancy required platelet transfusion; nevertheless, platelets were more usually transfused to patients with malignancy than to patients with some other kind of disease.