Transfusion
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During the storage of cellular components before transfusion, cytokines that may mediate transfusion reactions are released from white cells (WBCs). Adverse effects of transfused cellular blood components therefore depend not only on the number of residual WBCs in blood components, but also on the timing of WBC reduction. ⋯ FNHTRs, but not allergic reactions, were less common after transfusion of RBCs that were WBC reduced before storage than after the transfusion of those WBC reduced after storage at the bedside by filtration. The level of IL-6 in implicated cellular blood components that were WBC reduced before storage was inversely correlated with the length of storage before transfusion. Further studies are needed to determine whether the transfusion of cellular blood components that were WBC reduced before storage can both diminish the incidence of adverse reactions and improve outcome.
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The impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), performed on adult patients, on the blood transfusion service of a tertiary-care hospital was assessed. The quantity and pattern of blood component utilization by these patients were compared to those in a previous evaluation of neonatal patients receiving similar treatment. ⋯ Whereas ECMO treatment of neonatal patients has a relatively minor impact on a transfusion service, the same is not true for a program that uses this form of treatment for adults as well.