title: Platelet transfusion prophylaxis for patients with haematological malignancies: where to now?
abstract: National guidelines for platelet transfusion in many countries recommend that the general platelet transfusion trigger for prophylaxis is 10x10(9)/l. This annotation reviews the evidence for this threshold level and discusses other current unresolved issues relevant to platelet transfusion practice such as the optimal dose and the clinical benefit of a strategy for the prophylactic use of platelet transfusions when the platelet count falls below a given threshold.
authors.affiliation: National Blood Service, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK. simon.stanworth@nbs.nhs.uk
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Stanworth
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hyde
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brunskill
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D019983:Guideline Adherence; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*