RT Journal
A1 Kiaii M, Levin A, MacRae J
T1 ELectron-beam sterilized hemodialyzers and thrombocytopenia—reply
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2012
FD February 15
VO 307
IS 7
SP 665
OP 666
DO 10.1001/jama.2012.145
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.145
AB 
In Reply: We agree with Drs Bieber and Ahmad that the original phenomenon was described in a single center. However, that does not discount the fact that the phenomenon was observed across 2 provinces and was substantially reduced when electron-beam sterilized dialyzers were eliminated. We agree that there are many possible etiologies for thrombocytopenia in patients receiving hemodialysis; however, we systematically excluded patient-specific factors in the index cases and demonstrated that the thrombocytopenia was related to the hemodialysis procedure itself.