What Are the Causes of Platelet Transfusion?
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are tiny blood cell fragments derived from large bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes. When circulating platelets encounter a damaged blood vessel, they clump together and form a platelet plug at the injury site. The platelet plug activates blood proteins called coagulation factors, which interact with the platelets to form a clot and arrest bleeding from the damaged blood vessel. Patients with a severely decreased platelet count, or thrombocytopenia, sometimes require platelet transfusions. A variety of medical conditions can cause thrombocytopenia, necessitating a platelet transfusion.
