title: Platelet transfusion therapy.
abstract: Platelet transfusion therapy has become an integral part of the treatment of patients with hematological and solid tumor malignancy receiving chemotherapy. Since its introduction almost 60 years ago, several advances and refinements have been introduced in the collection, storage, and administration to improve the safety and efficacy of platelet transfusion. This review summarizes the current practice and clinical approach to patients with thrombocytopenia. Existing evidence-based guidelines for appropriate platelet transfusion is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. perumalt@bcm.edu
authors.forename: Perumal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thiagarajan
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Afshar-Kharghan
mesh_terms: D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods