Platelets: Serology, Clinical and Potential Implications
Program Code: 310-TC
Monday, October 25, 2004
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM (ET)

SPEAKERS
Brian Curtis, PhD, D(ABMLI), MT(ASCP)SBB, BloodCenter of Wisconsin
Janice McFarland, MD, The Blood Center of Southeastern Wisconsin
Theodore E. Warkentin, MD, FRCP(C), BSc, MEd, Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program
Neil Blumberg, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center

DESCRIPTION
This session will consist of four lectures with a brief panel discussion at the end. Current testing procedures will be discussed in detail. The clinical application of these procedures to patients with thrombocytopenia due to neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, posttransfusion purpura and drug-associated platelet antibodies will be discussed. A final lecture will cover management of the platelet refractory patient, with focus on the role of laboratory testing in establishing the diagnosis and in identifying appropriate platelet units for transfusion.

OBJECTIVES

• Describe available serologic testing procedures
• Explain the use of these testing procedures in the care of patients
• Discuss the management of patients with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT), posttransfusion purpura (PTP), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), platelet refractoriness and drug-associated platelet antibodies
• Discuss the role of paltelet PPARg inthe release of bioactive mediators of inflammation and thrombosis
• Explain the potential implication of platelet PPARg in TRALI and in the microangiopatic disorders such as TTP

AUDIENCE
Physicians, Technologists, Nurses, Managers/Supervisors

PROGRAM LEVEL
Intermediate to Advanced