In a December 2, 2010 post, Bob Gosselin at UC-Davis in Sacramento suggests that the term platelet free plasma (PFP) should be reserved for plasma with a platelet count of zero, achievable only by filtration; and that we should call plasma with a platelet count less than 10,000/mcL platelet poor plasma (PPP). I agreed in principle the names are more fitting, but admitted I use the terms interchangeably, which may be a little sloppy.
In the spirit of self-justification, I posted a December Quick Question and got the following results:
Q. How do you define platelet free plasma (PFP)?
- Plasma with a platelet count less than 10,000/mcL: 39 (60%)
- Plasma with a platelet count less than 5,000/mcL: 9 (14%)
- Plasma with a platelet count of zero, prepared by centrifugation: 6 (9%)
- Plasma with a platelet count of zero, prepared by filtration: 11 (17%)
So I see that I am in the majority, but there are a substantial number of respondents like Bob whose definition fits the terminology. There are also a number who set the platelet count at 5,000/mcL, which is Dr. Douglas Triplett’s recommendation. It looks like the PFP–PPP terminology issue is unresolved, and may require adjudication by an ISTH subcommittee.
No comments here.