Ann Hematol: Lowering platelet count threshold to 10,000/µL for safe preservation of blood products

Although the risk of bleeding associated with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion is low, the practice of prophylactic platelet administration varies widel.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted at an urban academic tertiary care center, and the study population included patients with platelet counts ≥ 10,000/µL and < 50,000/µL undergoing PICC placement in 2018 and 2019, when the lowest platelet thresholds were 50,000/µL and 10,000/µ.

Figure: Bar graphs of blood product usage in groups 10K and 50K before and after PICC insertion, and within 24 hours before and after PICC insertion

The study enrolled 35 patients with a platelet threshold of 10,000/µL (10 K) and 46 patients with a platelet threshold of 50,000/µL (50 K.

Table: Bleeding complications after PICC insertion

Minor bleeding occurred immediately after PICC insertion in 5 patients (2 [3%] and 3 [6%] in the 50K and 10K groups, respectively.

This study assessed bleeding incidence and blood product utilization patterns in patients with severe thrombocytopenia over two consecutive years when the minimum platelet threshold for PICC insertion was changed from 50,000/µL to 10,000/µ.

Original source:

Amirahmadi, .