About Platelet Transfusion
Key Highlights
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Rapidly increases platelet count to prevent or stop bleeding.Can be a life-saving intervention for patients with severe thrombocytopenia.Supports patients undergoing chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, or major surgeries.Relatively quick procedure, often completed within 30-90 minutes.Closely monitored by medical professionals to ensure safety and efficacy.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe thrombocytopenia (very low platelet count) due to bone marrow failure (e.g., leukemia, aplastic anemia).
- Active bleeding or high risk of bleeding in a patient with low platelets.
- Prophylactic use before invasive procedures or surgeries when platelet count is low.
- Platelet dysfunction (e.g., from medications like aspirin or clopidogrel) when surgery is urgent.
- Support during and after chemotherapy or radiation therapy that suppresses bone marrow.
- Massive blood transfusion leading to dilutional thrombocytopenia.
How to prepare
- Blood tests (CBC) to confirm low platelet count and determine transfusion need.
- Blood typing and crossmatching to ensure compatible donor platelets.
- Review of patient's medical history, allergies, and previous transfusion reactions.
- Informed consent discussion explaining the procedure, benefits, and risks.
- Establishment of a secure intravenous (IV) access line.
- Pre-medication (e.g., antihistamines or acetaminophen) may be given to prevent reactions.
Risks & possible complications
- Febrile non-hemolytic reaction (fever, chills).
- Allergic reactions (hives, itching, rarely anaphylaxis).
- Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), a serious but rare lung complication.
- Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO).
- Infections (very rare with modern screening; e.g., bacterial contamination).
- Alloimmunization (developing antibodies against donor platelets, making future transfusions less effective).
- Minor reactions like rash or mild fever.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate monitoring for 1-2 hours post-transfusion for any adverse reactions.
- Vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, heart rate) are checked regularly.
- A follow-up complete blood count (CBC) is typically done 1 hour to 24 hours later to check platelet count increase.
- Patients can usually resume normal activities shortly after, barring any complications.
- Report any symptoms like fever, chills, rash, shortness of breath, or pain to medical staff immediately.
- No specific long-term recovery period is needed for the transfusion itself; recovery depends on the underlying condition being treated.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days (Often outpatient or day-care procedure)
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Expected recovery time: Immediate to 1 day (for the transfusion process itself)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering platelet transfusion in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for platelet transfusion in India include Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform platelet transfusion. MediFyr helps you compare internal medicine specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for platelet transfusion compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 8 Thousand – 25 Thousand | 0-1 days (Often outpatient or day-care procedure) | ~ Immediate to 1 day (for the transfusion process itself) | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 28 Thousand – 87.5 Thousand | 0-1 days (Often outpatient or day-care procedure) | ~ Immediate to 1 day (for the transfusion process itself) | Know More |
Top hospitals for Platelet Transfusion in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated internal medicine teams and experience managing patients undergoing platelet transfusion.
Olivia Khan, a 68-year-old retired librarian,...
Olivia Khan, a 68-year-old retired librarian, had been managing her immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) for years with oral medications. Recently, she developed persistent, spontaneous bruises on her arms and legs, and noticed tiny red dots (petechiae) on her lower legs. After a routine blood test revealed her platelet count had plummeted to a dangerously low 12,000/µL, her hematologist, Dr. Chen, expressed concern about her risk of internal bleeding. He recommended an urgent platelet transfusion as a bridge to get her count up safely while they adjusted her long-term medication. Olivia was anxious during the transfusion, held in a quiet outpatient infusion room, but found the nurses' calm reassurance comforting. The procedure itself was uneventful, similar to a standard IV drip. Within hours, her bruising stopped progressing, and a follow-up test showed her platelets had risen to a safer level of 45,000/µL. Emotionally, Olivia moved from a state of quiet fear about a potential bleed to profound relief. The transfusion felt like a 'reset button,' giving her and her doctors the time they needed to find a sustainable solution without the constant shadow of emergency.
Internal Medicine Specialists for Platelet Transfusion
Explore experienced internal medicine specialists who regularly perform platelet transfusion and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 41 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 22 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 32 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 14 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 13 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 9 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 43 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 21 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore