Myth 1: There is no need to use WBDPs because we have an adequate supply of single-donor apheresis platelets.

The facts: The use of apheresis platelets has increased¹ at the same time that blood centers are collecting fewer of them. There are three primary reasons for the decrease in apheresis platelets:

• The implementation of the 2019-2020 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-mandated bacterial mitigation strategies²
•  “Aging out” of apheresis donors^3,4
• Difficulties recruiting new and younger donors⁵

WBDPs can help fill the void, enabling platelet availability for patients in need.

Myth 2: Single-donor apheresis platelets are safer than WBDPs.

The facts: Measures to protect the blood supply from the possibility of transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) have continued to be enhanced, and improvements in testing⁶ have reduced the risk. Current epidemiological surveillance shows no increased risk of TTIs with WBDPs compared to single-donor platelets.⁷

Myth 3: Platelets obtained by apheresis are more effective than WBDPs.

The facts: WBDPs and apheresis platelets have similar rates of efficacy and adverse reactions,^8,9 including HLA alloimmunization. The main factor in reducing HLA alloimmunization is leukoreduction, which is performed for both apheresis platelets and WBDPs.⁸

Myth 4: Blood donation centers won’t be open to the WBDP process.

The facts: Currently, blood centers in some other countries heavily use WBDPs. In Canada, about 70% of the current platelet supply comes from WBDPs; in France, that number is 64%; and in the U.K., it’s 46%.¹⁰ What’s more, in the U.S., most blood center medical directors view WBDPs as clinically equivalent to apheresis platelets.¹¹

Fact: WBDPs support the platelet supply.

There is still a place for apheresis platelets. In fact, they’re preferred for certain clinical indications, including treatment of high-risk patient populations.¹² As the demand for platelets continues to rise and donor recruitment challenges persist, though, it’s essential to broaden our approach to meet patient needs.

Whole blood-derived platelets offer a clinically equivalent, safe, and scalable alternative to apheresis platelets. By addressing outdated perceptions and relying on current research, healthcare providers and blood centers can make more informed decisions — and help support a reliable, sustainable platelet supply.

To learn about solutions that can assist blood centers with safe, efficient methods for collecting WBDPs, contact your Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies representative.

1. Jones JM, Sapiano MRP, Mowla S, Bota D, Berger JJ, Basavaraju SV. Has the trend of declining blood transfusions in the United States ended? Findings of the 2019 National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey. Transfusion. 2021;61(suppl 1):S1-S10. doi: 10.1111/trf.16449
2. Garcia R, Razatos A. Bacterial mitigation strategies: impact of pathogen reduction and large-volume sampling on platelet productivity. Ann Blood. December 2021;6(41). doi: 10.21037/aob-21-19
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-adequacy-national-blood-supply-report-congress-2020.pdf. Accessed February 18, 2025.
4. Pandey S, Belanger GA, Rajbhandary S, Cohn CS, et al. A survey of US hospitals on platelet inventory management, transfusion practice, and platelet availability. Transfusion. 2021;61(9):2611-2620. doi: 10.1111/trf.16561
5. Navigating donor recruitment in a post-pandemic world. AABB News. https://www.aabb.org/news-resources/news/article/2023/01/10/aabb-news-navigating-donor-recruitment-in-a-post-pandemic-world. Published January 10, 2023. Accessed February 27, 2025.
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.fda.gov/media/164829/download. Published May 2023. Accessed February 14, 2025.
7. Seheult JN, Triulzi DJ, Yazer MH. I am the 9%: Making the case for whole-blood platelets. Transfus Med. 2016;26(3):177-185. doi: 10.1111/tme.12312
8. an der Heiden M, Ritter S, Hamouda O, Offergeld R. Estimating the residual risk for HIV, HCV and HBV in different types of platelet concentrates in Germany. Vox Sang. February 2015;108(2):123-130. doi: 10.1111/vox.12204
9. Daurat A, Roger C, Gris JC, Daurat G, Feissel M, Le Manach Y, et al. Transfusion. 2016;56(6);1295-1303. doi: 10.1111/trf.13475
10. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/356165/9789240051683-eng.pdf. Accessed February 27, 2025.
11. Yazer MH, Razatos A, Sayers M. Whole blood derived and apheresis platelets: Opinions and preferences — the results of a national survey of blood collectors. Transfusion. June 2023;63(6):1224-1229. doi: 10.1111/trf.17348
12. Alcaina PS, Waters AH. Platelet transfusion: and update on challenges and outcomes. J Blood Med. 2020;11:19-26.