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Plateletpheresis

Renal and Transfusion Therapy

Plateletpheresis, more accurately called thrombocytapheresis or thrombapheresis though these names are rarely used, is the process of collecting thrombocytes, more commonly called platelets, a component of blood involved in blood clotting. The term specifically refers to the method of collecting the platelets, which is performed by a device used in blood donation that separates the platelets and returns other portions of the blood to the donor. Platelet transfusion can be a life saving procedure in preventing or treating serious complications from bleeding and hemorrhage in patients who have disorders manifesting as thrombocytopenia, a low platelet count, or platelet dysfunction. This process may also be used therapeutically to treat disorders resulting in extraordinarily high platelet counts such as essential thrombocytosis.

Facts
Classification
Status
Standard of Care 1
FAQs

Is plateletpheresis only used to collect platelets from donors?

No. Cleveland Clinic describes apheresis also being used to remove excess platelets from a patient before the blood is returned.

No. This entry describes plateletpheresis as the method of collecting platelets, using a device that separates the platelets and returns the other portions of the blood to the donor. Apheresis is also used to take platelets out of a patient. Cleveland Clinic describes platelet depletion, in which, for a person with excess platelets, providers remove platelets before returning blood to that person, and it notes that high platelet counts may cause complications like clotting or bleeding. This describes how the procedure is used and is not medical advice.
Connections

Associated With

Plateletpheresis is a blood component collection procedure within hematology.

Treats

Source Plateletpheresis (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
Plateletpheresis (Wikipedia)
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plateletpheresis, lead section
    Plateletpheresis (more accurately called thrombocytapheresis or thrombapheresis, though these names are rarely used) is the process of collecting thrombocytes, more commonly called platelets, a component of blood involved in blood clotting.
  • Treats: Thrombocytopenia, Lead
    Platelet transfusion can be a life-saving procedure in preventing or treating serious complications from bleeding and hemorrhage in patients who have disorders manifesting as thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) or platelet dysfunction.
  • In Group: Apheresis and Plasma Exchange, Introduction
    Plateletpheresis (more accurately called thrombocytapheresis or thrombapheresis, though these names are rarely used) is the process of collecting thrombocytes, more commonly called platelets, a component of blood involved in blood clotting.
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