Platelet Transfusion: 2025 AABB and ICTMG International Clinical Practice Guidelines

 

Platelet transfusion is a common intervention that has benefits and harms. It is intended to raise platelet counts in patients with thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction and therefore prevent or treat bleeding. New international platelet transfusion guidelines are now published in JAMA, with eleven recommendations in various clinical settings in favor of restrictive platelet transfusion strategies. Herein, the evidence, recommendations, and rationale are described.

Originally published on July 8, 2025

Lecture Presenter

Ryan A. Metcalf, MD, CQA(ASQ)

Ryan A. Metcalf, MD, CQA(ASQ)

Associate Professor (Clinical)
University of Utah School of Medicine
Section Chief, Transfusion Medicine; Medical Director, Blood Bank; Inpatient Chief Value Officer, Department of Pathology
University of Utah Health and ARUP Laboratories

Dr. Ryan A. Metcalf is section chief of Transfusion Medicine, medical director of the Blood Bank, inpatient chief value officer at University of Utah Health and ARUP Laboratories, and an associate professor (clinical) of pathology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Metcalf graduated from the University of California Davis School of Medicine with a medical degree before completing an anatomic and clinical pathology and a fellowship in transfusion medicine at Stanford University. Dr. Metcalf is board certified in blood banking/transfusion medicine and in clinical pathology. His research interests include data-driven clinical transfusion medicine and data-driven quality management in medicine.

Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Examine risk/benefits of platelet transfusions
  • Describe the new international platelet transfusion guideline development process and methodology
  • Discuss new guideline recommendations compared to the prior guidelines

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and ARUP Laboratories