Therapeutic platelet reduction: Use in postsplenectomy thrombocytosis

Abstract

Therapeutic platelet reduction is an effective modality for the reduction of platelet count in patients with treatment of extreme thrombocytosis resulting from a variety of primary and secondary causes of thrombocytosis, which may be associated with thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications of varying degrees. These cases when symptomatic fall into the ASFA Category II indication for therapeutic platelet apheresis procedure. Here, we report a case of postsplenectomy secondary thrombocytosis presenting with extremely high platelet counts and subsequent thrombosis in the shunt and successful treatment after therapeutic platelet reduction. The case is being presented to bring forth the fact that therapeutic platelet reduction is an easy procedure that gives quick and good results and also to bring to the attention of transfusion specialists an associated but as yet unreported procedural finding.

Emergent thrombocytapheresis for essential thrombocythemia following splenectomy

“…bleeding, and new thrombosis, emergent thrombocytapheresis was pursued. [1][2][3][4] Symptomatic thrombocytosis is a category II indication for thrombocytapheresis per the American Society for Apheresis. 5 The procedure was completed with an apheresis system (Spectra Optia, Terumo BCT) with peripheral vascular access.…”

“…His platelet count was now 2811 × 10 9 /L despite his current hydroxyurea regimen. Given his essential thrombocythemia, extreme rebound thrombocytosis, new surgical site bleeding, and new thrombosis, emergent thrombocytapheresis was pursued . Symptomatic thrombocytosis is a category II indication for thrombocytapheresis per the American Society for Apheresis …”