Emergency Platelet Transfusion Protocol

This protocol places severe demands on blood product resources. Hematology consultation is mandatory before using the protocol for non-hematology patients

Available only in the inpatient setting – HealthLink order set #10397

Indications: Severe thrombocytopenia, refractory to platelet transfusion, and at least one of the following:

  1. Severe or life-threatening bleeding
  2. Urgent need for invasive diagnostic lirocedures
  3. Urgent need for surgery
  4. Severe thrombocytopenia (expected duration at least 7 days) after high-dose chemotherapy (HLA-matched or crossmatched platelets should be tried first)

Protocol:

IV IgG

Dose: 1 gram/kg/day x 2 days, given as continuous infusion

example: 72 kg person gets 72 grams per 24 hours (3 grams/hour) x 48 hours, total 144 grams.
Please note this is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE!!

Platelets

Apheresis platelets given as a continuous drip at the rate of one unit every four hours.

Start concomitantly with IV IgG and run for 72 hours

Platelet count typically rises to 100k in 1-2 days and may remain elevated
for 3-7 days.

Reference:
Spahr and Rodgers. Treatment of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia purpura with concurrent intravenous immunoglobulin and platelet transfusion: A retrospective review of 40 patients. Am J Hematol 2008;83:122