title: Immature platelet fraction values predict recovery of platelet counts following liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thrombocytopenia after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is a well-recognized and prevalent early postoperative complication. In the current study, we assessed the clinical utility of the immature platelet fraction (expressed as a percent of total platelets, IPF %) to predict platelet count recovery following OLT.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the changes in peripheral platelet counts, IPF values, and liver function before OLT, and 21 days after transplantation in 30 patients with liver cirrhosis. All patients were followed up for at least six months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nadir in the peripheral platelet counts most commonly occurred on the 5th day after post-transplant. Platelets counts gradually rose again to exceed pre-transplant levels by the 3rd to 4th day after the IPF % reached its peak.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IPF % increased prior to the elevation of platelet counts in patients with OLT suggesting that the IPF % may reflect production of platelets. These findings suggest IPF% could be useful as a predictor of platelet recovery in patients with OLT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, #79, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, China.
authors.forename: Weilin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, #79, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, #79, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, China.
authors.forename: Yufeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, #79, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, China.
authors.forename: Jiufeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dou
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Naval Convalescent Zone of Hangzhou Sanatorium, Nanjing Military Region, Zhejiang 310002, China. Electronic address: maoweilin10@163.com.
authors.forename: Lingli
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology