• Ronald G Strauss.
• Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1009, USA. ronald-strauss@uiowa.edu
• Curr. Opin. Hematol. 2005 Nov 1; 12 (6): 499-502.

Purpose Of ReviewTo assess critically both the blood platelet counts that prompt a platelet transfusion (i.e. trigger) in various clinical settings in patients with thrombocytopenia caused by marrow failure and the dose of platelets infused (i.e. number per each transfusion) for optimal hemostasis, feasibility, and safety.Recent FindingsDefinitive studies (e.g. well-designed, prospective, randomized clinical trials) are not available either historically or at present to support evidence-based decisions. Instead, retrospective reviews and anecdotal reports provide observational data to assist in best guess clinical practices.SummaryReasonable clinical practice, until more definitive data become available, is to transfuse enough platelets per each transfusion to maintain the blood platelet count >10 x 10/L in stable nonbleeding patients, >20 x 10(9)/L in unstable nonbleeding patients, and >50 x 10(9)/L in bleeding patients or in those undergoing invasive procedures.

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