Caitlin Raymond/ LinkedIn
Oct 13, 2026, 20:55
Caitlin Raymond: Understanding Platelet Refractoriness Before Ordering More Platelets
Caitlin Raymond, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Transfusion Medicine at University of Wisconsin-Madison, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“It’s 2 a.m., you’re the fellow on call, and the platelet count didn’t move. Here’s the five-minute primer on what to do before you order more platelets.
Sometimes more platelets is the right call. Often it isn’t, and knowing the difference is the whole point of my new post on The Curious BloodBanker.
- No post-transfusion count, no diagnosis. ‘Seems refractory’ is an impression, not something you can act on.
- One low increment is a data point. Two sequential low CCIs is when you start believing it.
- Most refractory cases are non-immune (60 to 80%). Check for fever, sepsis, bleeding, DIC, splenomegaly, and drugs like amphotericin B before ordering an antibody workup.
- HLA and HPA are separate workups. A negative HLA screen doesn’t rule out HPA.
- HLA-compatible is what you order. HLA-matched is closer to a theoretical ideal.
Sometimes the right answer is ‘differently selected platelets.’ More often it’s ‘not platelets at all, fix the fever.’
What’s the most useful thing your service has done to make sure the post-transfusion count actually gets drawn?”
Other posts featuring Caitlin Raymond on Hemostasis Today.
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Oct 13, 2026, 20:54Sanja Seratlic: How Cow Feeding Systems Influence the Anti-Platelet Properties of Cheddar Cheese
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Oct 13, 2026, 20:50Ruchika Goel: Cord Blood Red Blood Cells as a Physiologically Aligned Transfusion Strategy
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Oct 13, 2026, 20:47Sophia Delicou: Strengthening Transfusion Safety Through Advanced Screening and Haemovigilance
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Oct 13, 2026, 20:45Lydia Pecker: Alloimmunization and Transfusion Indications in Sickle Cell Disease Pregnancy
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Oct 13, 2026, 15:51Merel Timmer: Hemophilia Twinning Partnership Strengthens Care and Quality of Life in Indonesia
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Oct 13, 2026, 15:41Sarah Alam: ASH 2026 Guidelines on Iron Deficiency Diagnosis and Updated Ferritin Thresholds
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Oct 13, 2026, 15:35Jamie Elmawieh: Prophylactic Anticoagulation Improves Survival in Isolated Tumor Thrombus
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Oct 13, 2026, 15:30Sally Mandour: Methemoglobinemia When Hemoglobin Cannot Carry Oxygen
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Oct 13, 2026, 15:21Renel Tique: Advancing Hemophilia Care Through Global Collaboration and Clinical Innovation