Plateletpheresis

What is Plateletpheresis? Plateletpheresis is the specialized process of collecting platelets from a donor, a key component of blood. Distinct from whole blood donation, plateletpheresis focuses solely on isolating and collecting platelets while the other blood constituents are returned to the donor. This clinical procedure is vital in the medical field for various therapeutic applications.

The Process of Plateletpheresis

In the plateletpheresis process, blood is withdrawn from a donor and directed through an apheresis machine that separates the blood into individual components. Platelets are selectively collected, while the remaining constituents, including red and white blood cells and plasma, are infused back into the donor. This intricate process typically requires around 90 minutes, facilitating precise control over platelet quality and quantity.

Application Of Plateletpheresis

Plateletpheresis is essential in treating various pathologies where platelet transfusion is indispensable. Patients undergoing chemotherapy, those with leukemia, or individuals experiencing other conditions leading to reduced platelet counts benefit significantly from this procedure. The tailored collection of platelets through plateletpheresis offers an optimized therapeutic response in these cases, making it a critical component in transfusion medicine.

Source: https://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/blooddonor/donationtypes/platelets.html