What Is a Platelet Transfusion?
A platelet transfusion is an intravenous transfer of platelets collected from a donor or pooled from multiple donors. Platelets are small cell structures essential to the process of blood clotting and, therefore, important to maintain at certain levels within the body. A complete blood cell count (CBC) is a blood test that measures the number of the different types of cells circulating in the blood stream. When the results of a patient’s CBC indicate that there are a lower than normal level of platelets, the condition is called thrombocytopenia. Depending on the cause, symptoms and severity of the patient’s thrombocytopenia, a platelet transfusion may be considered as a treatment.
