Transfusion
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The hemostatic property of "fresh" whole blood (WB) has been observed in military application and cardiac surgery and is associated with reduced blood loss, transfusion requirements, and donor exposures. The time from donation to transfusion defining "fresh" has not been systematically studied. We undertook an in vitro study of coagulation properties of refrigerated WB stored for 31 days. ⋯ This in vitro study of coagulation properties demonstrates preservation of normal integrated coagulation function to a minimum of 11 days under standard conditions of refrigerated storage of WB for transfusion. These observations strongly suggest that the hemostatic quality of WB may extend beyond current transfusion practices. If confirmed clinically, this would increase availability and extend benefits of reduced donor exposure and transfusion requirements.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Role of perioperative intravenous iron therapy in elderly hip fracture patients: a single-center randomized controlled trial.
The main objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of intravenous (IV) iron sucrose therapy reducing transfusion requirements in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. ⋯ Transfusion requirements in patients with intracapsular fracture or baseline Hb level of 12 g/dL or more appear to be reduced by IV iron sucrose therapy, but there was no difference in morbidity, mortality, or length of hospital stay. The treatment is safe and hastens recovery from blood loss.
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Methylene blue allergy is a well-known entity associated with food or lymph node location. Inactivation of viruses by methylene blue in fresh-frozen plasma (FFP-MB) has been recently introduced in France after many years of use in other parts of Europe. ⋯ These two cases questioned the safety of FFP-MB.
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Fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) is given to patients across a range of clinical settings, frequently in association with abnormalities of standard coagulation tests. ⋯ This study raises important questions about the clinical benefit of much of current FFP usage. It highlights the pressing need for better studies to inform and evaluate quantitative data for the effect of plasma on standard coagulation tests.