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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Prof
Peter
Watkinson
+44 (0)1865 220 621
Peter.watkinson@ndcn.ox.ac.uk
Ms
Hayley
Noble
+44 (0)20 7269 9277
T4P@icnarc.org
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
Critical care
This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.
Platelets are cells in the blood that help form clots and stop bleeding. People treated in a critical care unit often have a low number of platelets (platelet count) in their blood because they are very unwell. Platelet transfusions are made up of platelets collected from screened, healthy donors. Platelet transfusions are sometimes given before these procedures if the patient’s platelet count is low. This is thought to reduce the possible risk of bleeding from the procedure.
However, platelet transfusions also carry risks such as inflammation, infection, and allergic reactions, and may not work as effectively in unwell patients.
Currently, we do not know the platelet count below which giving a platelet transfusion might be beneficial. Surveys of doctors working in UK critical care units have shown uncertainty over the platelet count below which doctors should give a platelet transfusion. As a result, platelet transfusions are currently given to patients with a wide range of different platelet counts and there is no set threshold.
This study will test five different thresholds to find out the safest count below which platelet transfusions should be given before invasive procedures are carried out in intensive care.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
Current participant exclusion criteria as of 17/03/2023:1. Ongoing major haemorrhage requiring blood products and/or surgical/radiological intervention*2. Intercranial haemorrhage within prior 72 hours* 3. Contra-indication to platelet transfusion (such as thrombotic microangiopathies; heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia; immune thrombocytopaenia; congenital platelet function defects)4. Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML)5. Known advance decision refusing blood/blood component transfusions (e.g. Jehovah’s Witnesses)6. Death perceived as imminent or admission for palliation7. Previously randomised into T4P8. Fulfilled all the inclusion criteria and none of the other exclusion criteria ≥72 hours
*Exclusion criteria no. 1 and 2 are dynamic, and if resolved, the patient may be reconsidered for the trial
Previous participant exclusion criteria:1. Ongoing major haemorrhage requiring blood products and/or surgical/radiological intervention*2. Intercranial haemorrhage within prior 72 hours* 3. Contra-indication to platelet transfusion (such as thrombotic microangiopathies; heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia; immune thrombocytopaenia; congenital platelet function defects)4. Advance decision refusing blood/blood component transfusions (e.g. Jehovah’s Witnesses)5. Death perceived as imminent or admission for palliation6. Previously randomised into T4P7. Fulfilled all the inclusion criteria and none of the other exclusion criteria ≥72 hours
*Exclusion criteria no. 1 and 2 are dynamic, and if resolved, the patient may be reconsidered for the trial
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
Ms
Hayley
Noble
+44 (0)20 7269 9277
T4P@icnarc.org
Prof
Peter
Watkinson
+44 (0)1865 220 621
Peter.watkinson@ndcn.ox.ac.uk
More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.
The study is sponsored by University of Oxford and funded by NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Co-ordinating Centre (NETSCC); Grant Codes: NIHR131822.
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Or CPMS 53274
You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.
