From the Guidelines
Plasma and platelets are two distinct components of blood with different functions, where plasma is the liquid portion making up about 55% of total blood volume, and platelets are small cell fragments that play a crucial role in blood clotting. The main difference between plasma and platelets lies in their composition and function. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, consisting mainly of water, proteins, electrolytes, hormones, and nutrients, and serves as the transport medium for blood cells, nutrients, waste products, and other substances throughout the body 1. On the other hand, platelets are small, colorless, disc-shaped structures that lack a nucleus and play a crucial role in blood clotting. When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets rush to the site, stick together, and form a plug to stop bleeding.
Some key differences between plasma and platelets include:
- Composition: Plasma is a liquid mixture of water, proteins, and other substances, while platelets are small, solid cell fragments.
- Function: Plasma serves as a transport medium, while platelets play a crucial role in blood clotting.
- Appearance: Plasma is yellowish in color, while platelets are colorless.
- Medical use: Plasma may be transfused to replace clotting factors or treat conditions like burns and shock, whereas platelet transfusions are typically given to patients with low platelet counts or platelet dysfunction to prevent or treat bleeding 1.
In medical settings, the preparation of platelets for transfusion can be done through either separation of units of platelet concentrates from whole blood or by apheresis from single donors. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, platelets for transfusion can be prepared either by separation of units of platelet concentrates from whole blood or by apheresis from single donors, with similar post-transfusion increments, hemostatic benefit, and adverse effects 1. The AABB recommends that platelets should be transfused prophylactically to reduce the risk for spontaneous bleeding in adult patients with therapy-induced hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia, with a recommended platelet count of 10 × 10^9 cells/L or less 1.
From the Research
Difference between Plasma and Platelet
- Plasma and platelet are two different components of blood, each with distinct functions and uses in medical treatments.
- Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that carries cells, proteins, and other substances throughout the body 2.
- Platelets, on the other hand, are small blood cells that play a crucial role in blood clotting and preventing bleeding 3, 4, 5.
- Plasma is often used in transfusions to help replace clotting factors and other essential proteins in patients with bleeding disorders or those undergoing surgery 4, 6.
- Platelet transfusions are typically used to prevent or treat bleeding in patients with low platelet counts, such as those with thrombocytopenia or undergoing chemotherapy 3, 4, 5.
- The decision to transfuse plasma or platelets depends on the patient's specific medical condition, the severity of their bleeding or clotting disorder, and the potential risks and benefits of transfusion 4, 6.
Key Differences
- Plasma is used to replace clotting factors and other proteins, while platelets are used to prevent or treat bleeding due to low platelet counts.
- Plasma transfusions are often used in patients with bleeding disorders or those undergoing surgery, while platelet transfusions are typically used in patients with thrombocytopenia or undergoing chemotherapy.
- The risks and benefits of plasma and platelet transfusions differ, and the decision to transfuse one or both depends on the patient's individual medical needs and condition 4, 6.