What is the difference between platelet transfusion and regular blood donation?

Platelets are blood components that play a role in the blood clotting process and stop bleeding. Certain diseases and medications can lower your platelet count, leading to a condition called thrombocytopenia. Patients who experience a drastic decrease in platelets are at higher risk of bleeding, so platelet transfusions are often needed to anticipate this condition. What is the procedure like? Then, are there any side effects behind it? Check out the full explanation below.

Who needs a platelet transfusion?

The platelet count under normal conditions ranges from 150,000-450,000 pieces per microliter of blood. These pieces of blood only have a life cycle every 10 days.

So, after 10 days, the damaged platelets will be overhauled and replaced by new ones by the bone marrow. After that, the bone marrow produces hundreds of thousands of new platelets to be circulated throughout the body.

However, the process of platelet production can be hampered and cause platelet abnormalities. That's why some people may need a platelet transfusion.

It is important to note that platelet transfusions are different from ordinary blood transfusions. If the blood transfusion includes all the components of the blood, this procedure uses only the platelet units that have been separated from the rest of the blood components.

The platelet transfusion procedure is carried out with the aim of:

• restore normal platelet levels in the body
• prevent bleeding in patients with thrombocytopenia or impaired platelet function

There are several conditions that cause disturbances in the level of platelets in the blood, which make the sufferer need to have a platelet transfusion. Some of the conditions that are indications for platelet transfusions include:

1. Decreased platelet production

Platelet production in the bone marrow can decrease due to a number of factors. Some of them are due to cancer such as leukemia, certain types of anemia, viral infections, excessive alcohol consumption, and chemotherapy drugs.

If you experience the signs and symptoms of low platelets below, you should immediately see a doctor:

• Nosebleed
• Bleeding gums
• Heavy bleeding during menstruation
• Bruises (hematoma) appear easily
• Red spots appear on the skin

2. Abnormal platelet turnover

Platelet transfusions are especially important for people who have abnormal platelet turnover. This condition occurs when the number of platelets that are being transformed is more than what is being produced. The causes can come from various factors, for example:

• Pregnancy
• Decreased platelet count or thrombocytopenia due to autoimmune diseases
• Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
• Uremic hemolytic syndrome, which is an infection of the digestive system that results in the formation of toxic substances that destroy blood cells
• Bacterial blood infection
• Medications that affect the immune system and cause platelet damage, such as heparin, quinine, sulfa antibiotics, and anticonvulsants

3. Swelling of the spleen

The spleen is a fist-sized organ located on the left side of the stomach, to be precise, under the ribs. This organ functions to fight infection and filter substances that are not needed by the blood. An enlarged spleen can cause a buildup of platelets so that their circulation in the blood is reduced.

What is the platelet transfusion procedure like?

Platelets are given in the form of fluids through the veins of the recipient of the transfusion donor. This process usually takes 15-30 minutes. Depending on the condition during the transfusion, the patient can go home immediately or need to undergo treatment first in the hospital.

There are two types of methods used to obtain platelet transfusion donors, namely:

1. Platelets from complete blood

Medical personnel obtain platelets by separating them from blood plasma to obtain several platelet units. One platelet unit is defined as the number of platelets obtained from one unit of complete blood.

Obtained platelets must go through a series of processes before they are ready for use, namely by removing components of white blood cells, testing the bacteria in them, and providing radiation.

One unit of complete blood usually contains only a few platelets, so this type of transfusion usually requires 4-5 complete blood donors. The American Cancer Society even states that sometimes it takes up to 6-10 donor units given the difficulty of obtaining platelets from fresh blood.

2. Apheresis

Unlike the previous method, the platelets in apheresis are platelets obtained from one donor.

During this procedure, the donor is connected to a machine that can separate the blood and only collect platelets. The remaining cells and blood plasma are then returned to the donor's body.

Apheresis is a very effective procedure for collecting platelets, so the transfusion does not need to involve many donors. This method is also recommended because it can reduce the risk alloimmunization in transfusion recipients. Alloimmunization is the immune system's response to foreign antigens that arise due to the large amount of exposure to donor tissue.

Platelet transfusions are a procedure that is rarely performed and requires special consideration from a doctor. Health risks do not escape from patients who undergo it. Therefore, donors and donor recipients need to meet specific criteria to be able to perform this procedure.

Are there any risks and side effects of platelet transfusion?

Platelet transfusion is a relatively safe medical procedure. People who donate platelets will undergo a series of tests to ensure that they are free from any disease or infection, such as hepatitis or HIV. Therefore, the risk of becoming infected with other diseases as a result of this procedure is very minimal.

However, it is possible that some people who receive platelet donors will experience certain side effects. Some of them are:

• chills
• body temperature rises
• itchy rash
• skin rash

During the transfusion process, the medical team will check body temperature, pulse and blood pressure periodically. This is to ensure any side effects that arise.

If there are certain unwanted reactions, the medical team will usually stop the transfusion process temporarily and deal with the symptoms that arise. Do not hesitate to tell the medical team about any symptoms or effects that you are experiencing.

In rare cases, the body will not react to platelets that have entered the body. In other words, your condition will not improve after the platelet transfusion procedure. This phenomenon is known as platelet resistance.

If this happens, the doctor will perform a series of tests to find out the exact cause. You may also be given a new platelet donor that may be a better match for your body.