Blood Res.  2022 Apr;57(S1):S6-S10. 10.5045/br.2022.2021229.

Evaluation and management of platelet transfusion refractoriness

• Youk HJ
• Hwang SH
• Oh HB
• Ko DH

• KMID: 2529300
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5045/br.2022.2021229

Abstract

Platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR), in which platelet counts do not increase after transfusion, occurs in many patients receiving platelet transfusions. PTR is a clinical condition that can harm patients. The causes of PTR can be divided into two types: immune and non-immune. Most cases of PTR are non-immune. Among immune causes, the most common is human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. PTR caused by anti-HLA antibodies is usually managed by transfusing HLA-matched platelets. Therefore, it is important, especially for hemato-oncologists who frequently perform transfusion, to accurately diagnose whether the cause of platelet transfusion failure is alloimmune or non-immunological when determining the treatment direction for the patient. In this review, we discuss the definitions, causes, countermeasures, and prevention methods of PTR.

Keyword

Platelet transfusion refractoriness; Platelet transfusion; Human leukocyte antigen; HLA-matched; Platelet count