Free Flowing platelet transfusion?

[cheri]

Hi all
I went in for a platelet transfusion today, and people who were from out of town said that is better to let them gravity flow in, as opposed to the pump machine, as the machine destroyed some platelets. The nurse asked me if I wanted to try it and I said, "why not"? Doesn't take any longer.
Anyone ever heard of that dispensing method?

I will have a hard time judging this time, because the bag of platelets I got was huge, like double the normal amount...but I will continue and see if there seems to be a difference.

It always amazes me how the size of the bag, color and blood type varies with every platelet transfusion....

[Chirley]

Hi. The daycare I go to always run blood and platelets free flow except if they have a slow port like mine and need the machine to push them through but their preference is definitely for free flow.

Regards

[Birgitta-A]

Hi Cheri,
Like Chirley I have got platelet transfusions in the same way as blood transfusions. They flush the platelets (without a machine) because otherwise they will clot.
Kind regards
Birgitta-A

[Sally C]

Hi Cheri,
My husband has had zillions of platelet transfusions and unlike his blood transfusions, alll of his platelets have been infused only by gravity. The blood has always been pushed by the machine. Don't really know why the difference but it seems to be the standard way it's done at his infusion center.
Best wishes,
Sally

[riccd2001]

It depends on the Doc's orders. Pump rate is easy to adjust a lower rate for PRBC infusion over a longer timeframe to reduce the risk of dangerous/unwanted reaction.:cool: