Robert Bubar

Corresponding Author Alesia Kaplan Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Vitalant, Clinical Apheresis, Northeast Division, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA Correspondence Alesia Kaplan, Vitalant, 5 Parkway Center, 875 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Email: akaplan@vitalant.org Search for more papers by this author

Background Granulocyte transfusions for patients with prolonged neutropenia and severe infections has been a controversial practice. Previous studies suggest a benefit of high-dose granulocyte transfusions (≥0.6 × 109/kg), although, until recently, the consistent production of high-dose units has been challenging.

Abstract Background The therapeutic use of granulocyte transfusions for the treatment of infections in immunocompromised patients has been a controversial practice. Randomized controlled trials suggest that benefit may be provided when a high-dose product, defined as providing a dose of at least 0.6 × 109/kg, is offered. Here we describe the collection process and granulocyte product yield over a four-year period at a donation center supplying a large, tertiary academic medical center.