What types of infusion therapies are used to treat thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)?

From the Guidelines

Platelet transfusions are the primary infusion therapy used to treat thrombocytopenia, particularly for severe cases or active bleeding, with a recommended threshold of 10 × 10^9 cells/L or less for prophylactic transfusion in hospitalized patients. According to the AABB guidelines 1, the use of platelet transfusions is supported by moderate-quality evidence for patients with therapy-induced hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia.

Key Points:

• The AABB recommends prophylactic platelet transfusion for a morning platelet count of 10 × 10^9 cells/L or less in hospitalized patients with therapy-induced hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia 1.
• Low-dose platelet transfusions are as effective as standard-dose platelets in preventing bleeding but may need to be transfused more frequently due to the lower platelet increment 1.
• For patients undergoing elective central venous catheter placement, prophylactic platelet transfusion is suggested for a platelet count less than 20 × 10^9 cells/L, based on low-quality evidence 1.
• For elective diagnostic lumbar puncture, prophylactic platelet transfusion is suggested for a platelet count less than 50 × 10^9 cells/L, based on very low-quality evidence 1.

Treatment Considerations:

• The decision to transfuse platelets should be individualized, considering the patient's clinical condition, the severity of thrombocytopenia, and the risk of bleeding.
• Monitoring of platelet counts is essential during and after therapy to assess response.
• Other treatments like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), thrombopoietin receptor agonists (e.g., romiplostim, eltrombopag), anti-D immunoglobulin, and rituximab may be considered based on the underlying cause of thrombocytopenia and patient-specific factors.

From the FDA Drug Label

The provided drug labels do not directly mention infusion therapies for treating thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Types of Infusions for Low Platelets

The following types of infusion therapies are used to treat thrombocytopenia (low platelet count):

• Platelet transfusions: given to prevent bleeding in thrombocytopenic patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignancy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant 2
• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions: used as first-line treatments for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) 3
• Thrombopoietin-receptor agonist infusions: such as romiplostim and eltrombopag, used for the treatment of chronic ITP in adult patients who are refractory to other treatments or in whom splenectomy is contraindicated 3, 4
• Prolonged immunoglobulin and platelet infusions: used for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia, which can be rapidly effective in increasing platelet counts 5
• Avatrombopag infusions: a small molecule agent used for the treatment of chronic ITP, offering a higher clinical response rate than most other ITP therapies 4

Indications for Infusion Therapies

The indications for infusion therapies for low platelets include:

• Prophylactic transfusion: recommended for patients with a platelet count of <10,000/microL 2, 6
• Treatment of bleeding: platelet transfusions may be helpful to treat serious bleeding in patients with thrombocytopenia 2
• Treatment of chronic ITP: thrombopoietin-receptor agonists, such as eltrombopag and romiplostim, may be used for the treatment of chronic ITP in adult patients who are refractory to other treatments or in whom splenectomy is contraindicated 3, 4