436 Acta Clinica Belgica, 2006; 62-1 PLATELET TRANSFUSION GUIDELINES FOR THE TRANSFUSION OF PLATELETS A. Bosly 1 , L. Muylle 2 , L. Noens 3 , R. Pietersz 4 , D. Heim 5 , R. Hübner 6 , D. Selleslag 7 , M. Toungouz 8 , A. Ferrant 9 , D. Sondag 10 Key words: platelets, indications, transfusion guidelines ––––––––––––––– 1. Service d’Hématologie, Hôpital universitaire Mont-Godinne (UCL), Yvoir, Belgique 2. Belgian Haemovigilance Centre, Directorate general for Medicinal Products, Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium, and Universiteit Antwerpen, Antwerpen, België 3. Afdeling Hematologie, Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent (UZGent), Gent, België 4. Sanquin Bloedbank Regio Noordwest, Amsterdam, Nederland 5. Abteilung für Hämatologie, Kantonsspital Basel (UBAS), Basel, Schweiz 6. Superior Health Council, Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Brussels, Belgium 7. Afdeling Hematologie, Algemeen Ziekenhuis St. Jan (AZ St. Jan A. V.), Brugge, België 8. Département d’immuno-hématologie-transfusion, Hôpital universitaire Erasme (ULB), Bruxelles, Belgique 9. Service d’Hématologie, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc (UCL), Bruxelles, Belgique 10. Service d’Hématologie, Hôpital universitaire Sart Tilman (ULg), Liège, Belgique Address for correspondence: Ludo Muylle, MD, PhD Belgian Haemovigilance Centre, Directorate general for Medicinal Products Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment Eurostation blok II Victor Hortaplein 40, bus 40 B-1060 Brussels Belgium E-mail: ludo.muylle@health.fgov.be Original articles ABSTRACT Recommendations aiming at standardising and rationalising clinical indications for the transfusion of platelets in Belgium were drawn up by a working group of the Superior Health Council. To this end the Superior Health Council organised an expert meeting devoted to “Guidelines for the transfu- sion of platelets” in collaboration with the Belgian Haematological Society. The experts discussed the indications for platelet transfusions, the ideal platelet concentrate and the optimal platelet transfusion therapy. The recommendations prepared by the experts were validated by the working group with the purpose of harmonising platelet transfu- sion in Belgian hospitals. INTRODUCTION In Belgium, the therapeutic use of human blood components diminished by approximately 10 % for red blood cell concentrates between 1997 and 2003 whereas an increase of about 30 % was observed for platelet concentrates over the same period. These changes together with the intense variation in transfu- sion practices amongst Belgian hospitals revealed by the SANGUIS study (1), have made it necessary to develop recommendations for the optimal use of these components. These recommendations aim at guarantee- ing a safe, permanent supply in accordance with ethical rules, as well as ensuring an adequate and rational use of the donated blood.