Effect on platelet counts and fever of platelet transfusion in leukemia.

The efficacy of platelet transfusions in pretransfused HL-1 sensitized patients has been doubtful, particularly where repeated platelet transfusions were required. The efficacy of one hundred and nine ABO-compatible, cross match negative platelet transfusions in 26 adult patients with acute leukemia was therefore studied. Although most of the patientswere old and pretransfused and although no HL-A typing could be made, a statistically significant average increase of about 11 000 platelets/mul was seen not only after the first but also after subsequent (up to 8) platelet transfusions. Moreover, significant reduction in temperature followed platelet transfusions. However, platelet recoveries were worse in severely infected patients.