EFFECTIVENESS OF TRANSFUSIONS OF FRESH AND LYOPHILIZED PLATELETS IN CONTROLLING BLEEDING DUE TO THROMBOCYTOPENIA*

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Abstract
Eight dogs were rendered thrombo-cytopenic by the administration of 500 to 550 r whole body irradiation. After thrombocytopenia developed, large numbers of red blood cells were observed in thoracic duct lymph. Lyophilized dog platelets were infused into each of the 8 dogs in amounts calculated to increase the recipient''s platelet level by approximately 2OO,OOO/mm3. Following these infusions, however, the recipient''s circulating platelet levels did not increase and the number of red blood cells in the lymph did not decrease significantly. Five dogs also received infusions of freshly separated, viable platelets. Following infusions of the viable platelets, the recipient''s circulating platelet levels increased, and the number of red blood cells in the lymph decreased markedly. Thus, lyophilized platelets did not circulate in thrombocytopenic recipients and did not effect hemostasis. Infusions of fresh platelets increased circulating platelet levels and had a dramatic hemostatic effect.