Transfusion medicine
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Transfusion medicine · Jun 2012
Haemolysis and sublethal injury of RBCs after routine blood bank manipulations.
To determine the extent of RBC sublethal injury in male donor units as measured by both the mechanical fragility index (MFI) and percentage haemolysis after RBCs underwent leucoreduction (LR), irradiation (IRRAD), and washing. ⋯ There is a significant quantity of PFHb in IRRAD28 RBC units, and potentially in washed allogeneic RBC units. Clinical correlation is required to determine if this quantity of PFHb and the transfusion of potentially fragile RBCs causes adverse events.
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Transfusion medicine · Jun 2012
Review Meta AnalysisThe use of trauma transfusion pathways for blood component transfusion in the civilian population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This study was undertaken to determine if, amongst civilian trauma patients requiring massive transfusion (MT), the use of a formal trauma transfusion pathway (TTP), in comparison with transfusion without a TTP, is associated with a reduction in mortality, or changes in indices of coagulation, blood product utilisation and complications. A systematic review of three bibliographic databases, reference lists and conference proceedings was conducted. Studies were included if comparisons were made between patients receiving transfusion with and without a TTP. ⋯ In summary, the use of TTPs appears to be associated with a reduction in mortality amongst trauma patients requiring MT without a clinically significant increase in the number of PRBC transfused and a potential reduction in plasma transfusion. Effects of TTPs on platelet transfusion, indices of coagulation and complications remain unclear. A randomised controlled trial is warranted.
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Transfusion medicine · Jun 2012
Consent to transfusion: patients' and healthcare professionals' attitudes towards the provision of blood transfusion information.
Patients should be informed about the risks and benefits of blood transfusion and their consent should be documented. However, this is not routinely practised in the UK, and there have been few studies to investigate patients' and healthcare professionals' attitudes towards this process. ⋯ Greater efforts should be made to provide information to patients about the risks and benefits of blood transfusions. Future research should explore the most effective ways of delivering this information to patients in an appropriate and timely manner.