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Thrombocytopenia in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit

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Abstract

Thrombocytopenia is the most prevalent hematologic disorder in the ICU. Defined as a as a platelet count ≤150 × 109/L, thrombocytopenia is observed in 30–50 % of critically ill patients [1]. The consequences of thrombocytopenia range from a mild, asymptomatic phenomenon to microvascular failure. A drop in platelet count by >30 % is an independent risk factor for death and a stronger predictor of mortality than the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score [2, 3]. Multiple etiologies may contribute to a low platelet count. This chapter will specifically review the diagnosis and management of thrombocytopenia in the surgical ICU patient.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Noelle N. Saillant MD

  2. Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Emergency Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, The Trauma Center at Penn, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Carrie A. Sims MD, MS

Authors
  1. Noelle N. Saillant MD
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  2. Carrie A. Sims MD, MS
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Noelle N. Saillant MD or Carrie A. Sims MD, MS .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Emergency Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Niels D. Martin

  2. Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Emergency Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Lewis J. Kaplan

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Saillant, N.N., Sims, C.A. (2016). Thrombocytopenia in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. In: Martin, N.D., Kaplan, L.J. (eds) Principles of Adult Surgical Critical Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33341-0_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33341-0_27

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-33339-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-33341-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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