Platelet decrease and efficacy of platelet‐rich plasma return following peripheral blood stem cell apheresis

Background Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation is a key treatment option for hematological diseases and is widely performed in clinical practice. Platelet loss is one of the major complications of PBSC apheresis, and platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) return is considered in case of platelet decrease following apheresis; however, little is known about the frequency and severity of platelet loss and the efficacy of PRP return postapheresis. Methods We assessed changes in platelet counts following PBSC‐related apheresis in 270 allogeneic (allo)‐ and 105 autologous (auto)‐PBSC settings. We also evaluated the efficacy of PRP transfusion on platelet recovery postapheresis. Results In both allo‐ and auto‐PBSC settings, the preapheresis platelet count (range, 84‐385 and 33‐558 × 109/L, respectively) decreased postapheresis (range, 57‐292 and 20‐429 × 109/L, respectively), whereas severe platelet decrease (