Platelet function in transfusion medicine

Blood platelets have a number of vital functions relating to blood coagulation. In several different clinical conditions, such as in cancer treatment and in surgery, platelets are consumed, which increases the risk of bleeding. This is treated by transfusion of platelets from healthy blood donors, which have been purified by various techniques. For patients with acute bleeding, whole blood units may be used, where platelets have been stored together with red blood cells and plasma in the fridge. Both processing and storage affects platelet function and their capacity to circulate in the recipient after transfusion. These platelet properties will in turn determine how well the product may help to stop or prevent bleeding in the recipient. However, today there is a lack of knowledge regarding platelet function in transfusion products and how different factors affect the efficacy of the transfusion. 

In these projects, we study the function of donated platelets using flow cytometry, a technique where our unique protocols allow us to evaluate all of the most important platelet functions simultaneously, and follow the outcome in transfused patients.  Our long-term goal is to be able to better predict which platelet products to give to which patient, in order to gain optimal effect.