Editing Plateletpheresis (section)

{{Short description|Method of collecting platelets from blood}}
{{Infobox medical intervention |
  Name        = Plateletpheresis |
  Image       = Platelet blood bag.jpg |
  Caption     = A 250 mL bag of newly collected platelets |
  ICD10       = 6A550Z2, 6A551Z2  |
  ICD9        = {{ICD9proc|99.05}}  |
  MeshID      = D010983 |
  OtherCodes  = |
}}
'''Plateletpheresis''' (more accurately called '''thrombocytapheresis''' or '''thrombapheresis''', though these names are rarely used) is the process of collecting [[thrombocytes]], more commonly called platelets, a component of blood involved in [[hemostasis|blood clotting]].  The term specifically refers to the method of collecting the platelets, which is performed by a device used in [[blood donation]] that separates the platelets and returns other portions of the blood to the donor.  [[Platelet transfusion]] can be a life-saving procedure in preventing or treating serious complications from bleeding and hemorrhage in patients who have disorders manifesting as [[thrombocytopenia]] (low platelet count) or platelet dysfunction.  This process may also be used therapeutically to treat disorders resulting in extraordinarily high platelet counts such as [[essential thrombocytosis]].