Factors Influencing the Efficacy of Platelet Transfusions in Acute Leukemia

Abstract

The efficacy of platelet transfusions was evaluated in a prospective study of 37 patients with acute leukemia. The patients received 495 platelet transfusions for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. Life table analysis was found to be useful for prediction of the platelet level after transfusion. Efficacy was positively correlated with platelet content in the concentrate, and inversely correlated with bleeding. Fever, contamination of the: concentrate by leukocytes, or previous platelet transfusions were not found to have any significant influence on the efficacy, as analyzed by multiple regression. Single-donor platelet preparations and multiple-donor preparations were equally efficient. It is nevertheless suggested that single-donor preparations should be preferred, due to reduced risk of blood-carried infections.

Key Words:

• Platelet transfusions
• acute leukemia
• efficacy of transfusion