PLOT-ICU study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Platelet Transfusions and Thrombocytopenia in Intensive Care Units (PLOT-ICU) – an international cohort study
IRAS ID
300475
Contact name
Vicroria Metaxa
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Blood platelets are essential for the blood’s ability to coagulate, but they also have other important functions such as being part of the response to infections. Platelet deficiency (thrombocytopenia) is common in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Thrombocytopenia is a risk factor for major and potentially life-threatening bleedings. Therefore, administration of platelet transfusions in order to prevent bleeding complications is very common. Despite the widespread use of platelet transfusions in the ICU, evidence regarding management of thrombocytopenia, including transfusion thresholds (i.e., when to transfuse) is lacking. This has resulted in considerable variation in clinical practice.
In non-ICU patients, large randomised trials have found that a restrictive transfusion strategy (giving fewer transfusions) appears to be safe. Randomised clinical trials in neonatal patients and patients with stroke suggest that a liberal transfusion strategy increases morbidity and mortality compared to a more restrictive approach. However, the patient population in the ICU is often complex, with many patients suffering from multiple organ failure and, therefore, international clinical practice guidelines on the use of platelet transfusion may not always apply in the ICU population. Hence, the overall balance between the principal benefits and potential harm to patients of prophylactic platelet transfusions is unknown.
This study will assess the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of thrombocytopenia in ICU patients, and describe the current management of thrombocytopenia in the ICU. Data will be collected from ICU patients during a 2-week period and the anonymised data will be entered into an international database. This will allow inclusion of patients from a variety of countries where clinical practice differs. The anonymous data will be analysed to determine the incidence, risk factors and outcome of thrombocytopenia in ICU patients.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
22/WA/0058
Date of REC Opinion
21 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion