Learning objectives:

• Describe the platelet products currently available for transfusion in the United States
• Detail the particular storage conditions and shelf-life that make platelets a very limited resource
• Reveal the clinical benefits of prestorage leukoreduction and irradiation of platelets
• Discuss the platelet transfusion thresholds in adults that have been published by the AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks)
• Explain the platelet transfusion thresholds in the pediatric population
• Detail the contraindications to platelet transfusion
• Describe the immune and non-immune causes of platelet refractoriness
• Detail the laboratory evaluation for platelet refractoriness
• Discuss the management of the thrombocytopenic patient with alloimmune platelet refractoriness due to HLA antibodies