Description: hemapheresis is an effective way to harvest a therapeutic adult dose of platelets from one individual donor. Platelets, pheresis should contain = or >3 x 10 to the 11th platelets. Transfused platelets have a short life-span, 3-4 days. The volume of plasma used for platelet suspension varies between 100 and 500 mL. The number of leukocytes contained in this component varies depending upon the blood cell separator and protocol used for collection. Platelets, pheresis is supplied in a large plastic pack or in two connected packs to improve platelet viability during storage by providing more surface area for gas exchange. Platelets, pheresis should be stored under conditions of continuous, gentle agitation at 20-24 °C for 1-5 days. Actions: same as for platelets. Indications: platelets, pheresis is indicated for patients requiring platelet transfusion. For adult platelet count ≤ 15K, no bleeding.  ≤ 20K, no bleeding, febrile.  ≤50K, bleeding procedure, BUN > 40, Cr>1.9.  In patients refractory to platelets from unmatched donors, this component may be especially useful, if HLA-matched. Other causes of refractoriness to platelets include disseminated intravascular coagulation (dic), itp, hypersplenism, fever, and sepsis; for these latter conditions, platelets, pheresis is no more effective than platelets. Contraindications: same as for platelets. Side effects and hazards: same as for platelets. Dosage and administration: dosage, storage, and administration are similar to those of platelets, except that one unit of platelets, pheresis may replace five to eight units of platelets. One unit of platelets, pheresis can be expected to increase the platelet count of a 70-kg adult by 30-60,000/ul when measured 10-60 minutes post-infusion. Red blood cell compatibility is necessary only if the component is prepared by a method that allows the component to contain= to or >5 mL or more of red blood cells.