Perioperative Platelet Transfusion: Not All Platelet Products Are Created Equal

Purpose of Review This review highlights current advances in platelet components for transfusion in the perioperative setting while explaining point of care methods to assess platelet function. Recent Findings The variety of options for platelet transfusion continues to grow, and despite all being under the umbrella of platelet components, nuances in the different products may introduce variability in responses that remain to be fully elucidated. Choices regarding platelet additive solutions, monitoring bacterial contamination, pathogen reduction technologies, and storage conditions, require a risk-benefit analysis of the specific needs of each patient and facility resources. This especially introduces challenges for perioperative platelet administration and monitoring of coagulation which is also discussed. Platelet products remain a mainstay for regulation of hemostatic stability. This review introduces key platelet product characteristics with implications for platelet choice as well as currently available technologies to monitor coagulation in the perioperative setting.