Abstract
A componental transfusion method has recently been developed, and the demand for platelet transfusion is quickly increasing clinical effectiveness of platelet transfusion in 88 cases with malignant hematological diseases and changes in platelet function were investigated. The death rate in patients with bleeding was 37.5 % during the period of 1976 through 1978, however, this death rate was reduced to 17.3 % for the period of 1979 through 1982 by means of prophylactic platelet transfusion. Bleedingi tendency occurred in 73 cases (83 %) . Poor factors affecting the effectiveness of platelet transfusion occurred with remarkably deep bleeding or the increment of platelet counts of less than 2×104/μl, in cases refractory to therapy, in cases in terminal stages or with fibrinogen levels less than 100 mg/dl. The data suggested that prophylactic platelet transfusion should be applied to patients with platelet counts below 2×104/μl. The ADP, epinephrine-induced aggregation of platelets was markedly impaired in platelet concentrates before transfusion. However, these decreased aggregations of platelets improved after transfusion. Adenine nucleotide content of platelets and platelets and platelet volume indicated no statistically significant difference before or after transfusion or with control. It was suggested that several factors, including pH in plasma, improve the decreased platelet function before transfusion.
