Glossary
Apheresis Platelets, Leukocytes Reduced
The proper name for a unit of platelets collected using apheresis technology that has been modified by removing the vast majority of donor white blood cells. This is the most commonly transfused platelet product in the US, by far. By definition, this product must first meet the usual quality requirements for apheresis platelets:
- Platelet counts of > 3.0 x 1011 and minimum pH of > 6.2 in 90% of units tested
They also must meet a specific quality testing requirement for residual white cells:
- < 5.0 x 106 residual WBCs in 95% of units tested
Note that 5 x 106 is the U.S. standard; in other parts of the world, including Europe, the number is < 1.0 x 106.
See the glossary entry on leukocyte reduction for more information on why we remove white cells from blood products.
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