plateletpheresis

thrombocytapheresis

[throm″bo-sīt″ah-fĕ-re´sis] the selective separation and removal of platelets" >platelets (thrombocytes) from withdrawn blood, the remainder of the blood then being retransfused into the donor. Called also plateletpheresis and thrombapheresis.

plateletpheresis

Platelet apheresis Transfusion medicine The centrifugal separation of platelets from whole blood, with continuous or intermittent return of the RBCs and platelet-poor plasma to the donor; plateletpheresis is a form of exchange transfusion used for Pts with extremely high–> 1-1.5 x 109/L platelet counts, which is linked to severe thrombotic and hemorrhagic phenomena; to prevent a rebound ↑ of platelets after the procedure, plateletpheresis must be followed by cytotoxic therapy. See Therapeutic apheresis. Cf Cytapheresis, Leukapheresis.