Blood Transfus Italy
-
Blood Transfus Italy · Jul 2012
Editorial Historical ArticleFresh blood for transfusion: how old is too old for red blood cell units?
-
Blood Transfus Italy · Jul 2012
Clinical TrialThe age of red blood cells is associated with bacterial infections in critically ill trauma patients.
Blood transfusion increases the risk of nosocomial infection in trauma patients. Specific patient- and transfusion-related risk factors are largely unknown. In this study, risk factors for developing a bacterial infection after transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) or platelets were determined in a cohort of transfused critically ill trauma patients. ⋯ Transfusion of RBC stored for more then 14 days is a risk factor for onset of bacterial infection after trauma, irrespective of the use of prophylactic antibiotics. Transfusion of platelets was not a risk factor. These results may contribute to designing prospective studies on transfusion of fresh RBC only in trauma patients.
-
Blood Transfus Italy · Apr 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialCorrection of subclinical coagulation disorders before percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy.
There is evidence that percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT) can be safely performed in patients with severe coagulation disorders if these are carefully corrected immediately before the procedure. However, it is currently unclear whether PDT can be performed safely in patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with uncorrected mild coagulation disorders. ⋯ Bleeding during and after bedside PDT in ICU patients with mild coagulation disorders is rare in our setting. Correction of subclinical coagulation disorders by transfusion of FFP and/or platelets does not affect bleeding.