title: Compliance with prophylactic platelet transfusion trigger in haematological patients.
abstract: The aim of prophylactic platelet transfusions in haemato-oncologic patients with thrombocytopenia is to prevent bleeding. Currently, a platelet transfusion trigger of 10 x 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 x 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 x 10(9) L(- 1). About three-quarters of all platelet transfusions were given at platelet counts < or =20 x 10(9) L(- 1). Transfusions at levels >20 x 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 x 10(9) L(- 1) was about 50%; however, deviation from the trigger was partly explained by risk factors that justify a higher transfusion trigger.
authors.affiliation: Department of haematology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands. h.c.j.eikenboom@lumc.nl
authors.forename: J C J
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Eikenboom
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Wordragen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000592:standards