Transfusion medicine reviews
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The transfusion of allogeneic red blood cells (RBCs) and other blood components is ingrained in modern medical practice. The rationale for administering transfusions is based on key assumptions that efficacy is established and risks are acceptable and minimized. Despite the cliché that, "the blood supply is safer than ever," data about risks and lack of efficacy of RBC transfusions in several clinical settings have steadily accumulated. ⋯ On the other hand, when several possible interacting risk factors exist and RBC transfusions are associated with adverse clinical outcomes, establishing causation requires inferential probabilistic methodology. In the latter circumstances, the case for RBC transfusions being causal for adverse clinical outcomes can be strengthened by applying modified Bradford Hill criteria to the plethora of existing observational studies. This being the case, a greater precautionary approach to RBC transfusion is necessary and equipoise that justifying RCTs may become problematic.
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Editorial Comment
Establishing causation in transfusion medicine and related tribulations.
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There are many initiatives to reduce transfusion-related errors. However, one important intervention that remains largely unexplored is that of patient involvement. This article considers the patients' role in ensuring safe care along the transfusion trajectory. ⋯ One important intervention that could help to improve the quality and safety of the blood transfusion process is involvement of the patient themselves. This article considers the patients' role in ensuring safe care at different stages of the transfusion trajectory. The literature on patients' attitudes to, and involvement in, transfusion-related behaviors was systematically reviewed and opportunities for patient involvement were identified. The evidence suggests that although there is considerable potential for patients to be involved in different blood transfusion processes, it is very unclear at present how able and willing patients would be to take on an active role in this aspect of their health care management. Research in this area is paramount in helping to inform the design and implementation of interventions aimed at encouraging patient involvement in this very important but largely under-researched area.
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Since the first description of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) more than 2 decades ago, we have only recently begun to learn how this disorder may occur and how to prevent it. Scientists from around the world have made great strides in identifying the possible causes of this condition. ⋯ Scientists have recently identified the gene and protein for the human neutrophil antigen-3a associated with most mortality due to TRALI, and this presents an opportunity for a screening assay to prevent future TRALI-associated deaths. Finally, animal models of TRALI have provided insight into the possible mechanisms of this disorder and can be used to explore potential treatment modalities.
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Review
Where are the systematic reviews in transfusion medicine? A study of the transfusion evidence base.
Transfusion medicine has become a large and complex specialty. Although there are now systematic reviews covering many aspects of transfusion, these span a large number of clinical areas and are published across more than a hundred different medical journals, making it difficult for transfusion medicine practitioners and researchers to keep abreast of the current high-level evidence. In response to this problem, NHS Blood and Transplant's Systematic Review Initiative (SRI) has produced a comprehensive overview of systematic reviews in transfusion medicine. ⋯ Trends in the systematic review literature were examined and gaps in the literature described. The spread of systematic reviews across clinical areas was found to be very uneven, with some areas underreviewed and others with multiple systematic reviews on the same topic, making the identification of the best evidence for current transfusion practice a continuing challenge. References and links to all systematic reviews included in this overview can be freely accessed via the SRI's new online database, the Transfusion Evidence Library (www.transfusionguidelines.org).