For Clinicians and Blood Banks

Acute Hemolytic Anemia

What is a hemolytic transfusion reaction?

A hemolytic transfusion reaction is a reaction that occurs after a patient receives a transfusion of "incompatible" blood. The red blood cells that were given to the patient are destroyed by the patient's immune system. Blood that you receive in a transfusion must be compatible with your own blood. Being compatible means that the body will not form antibodies against the blood that is received by it.

What is Blood Salvaging

 

 

Intraoperative blood salvage, also known as autologous blood salvage, is a medical procedure involving recovering blood lost during surgery and re-infusing it into the patient. Blood salvage is performed during surgical procedures when the risk of significant blood loss is expected. The recovered blood is collected, processed, and readministered to the patient, decreasing or preventing the need for allogeneic (from a donor) blood product administration. If the blood is not given to the patient, it will be discarded.

Transfusion Results Same for Stored, Fresh Red Cells

The duration of red blood cell storage did not adversely affect outcomes in ventilated patients receiving transfusions, according to a small randomized trial.

There was no difference in short-term pulmonary, immunologic, or coagulation status between 50 patients who received fresh red blood cells (median storage of four days) and 50 who received standard-issue red blood cells (median storage duration of 26.5 days). 

Storage and its effects on Blood and Blood Components

 

This article covers the various aspects related to proper storage of blood and it’s components. A must read for all members of the blood banking fraternity. By Dr. Amrit Kaur Kaler (Assistant Professor,MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital,Bangalore.)

1. Storage of Blood and Blood Components

After the processing of blood into blood components, safe and adequate storage of these components is of immense value for two main reasons:

New approach for the transfusion of patients with Thalassaemia major: Neocytopheresis

 

By: Dr. Amrit Kaur Kaler, MD., Assistant Professor of Pathology, MVJ Medical College & Research Hospital, Bangalore.

What are Neocytes ?

Neocytes are new red cells which comes from bone marrow afresh. They have a longer life span, say about 120 days in the circulation. These young red cells survive longer after transfusion and therefore may contribute to the extension of intervals between transfusions.