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Tareq Abadl: A Blood Transfusion Can Cause a Delayed Platelet Crash
Tareq Abadl/LinkedIn
Apr 13, 2026, 17:38

Tareq Abadl: A Blood Transfusion Can Cause a Delayed Platelet Crash

Tareq Abadl, Medical Laboratory Specialist and Director of the Blood Bank at Dr. Abdelkader Al-Mutawakkil Hospital, shared a post on Linkedin:

“Did you know?

A blood transfusion can cause a delayed platelet crash!

Most people assume transfusion reactions happen immediately….. but that’s not always true.

One rare complication in transfusion medicine is Post-Transtusion Purpura (PTP).

According to AABB: PTP is a rare condition characterized by a sudden and severe drop in platelet count, typically occurring 7-10 days after transfusion of cellular blood components.

This delay is what makes it especially intriguing – the transfusion is already over, yet the reaction appears later.

What’s happening behind the scenes?

Unlike common reactions, PTP is:
Not due to ABO mismatch but Immune-mediated

The patient’s immune system forms antibodies against platelet antigens, leading to rapid platelet destruction – even affecting the patient’s own platelets.

Why this matters in blood banking?

Blood bank science goes far beyond:

ABO and Rh matching

It also includes:

  • Detecting delayed reactions
  • Hemovigilance
  • Reviewing patient history
  • Investigating unexpected complications

Takeaway: Not all transfusion reactions are immediate — some can appear days later, and recognizing them can be life-saving.”

Tareq Abadl

Other posts featuring Tareq Abadl on Hemostasis Today.

AABB Blood Blood Transfusion Health Hematology Hemostasis Hemostasis News Hemostasis Today Medicine Post-Transtusion Purpura (PTP) Tareq Abadl Transfusion Medicine
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