Transfusion
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Recent animal studies suggest that transfusion of plasma from young donors reverses age-related neurologic and cardiac changes in older recipients. Associations between age of blood product donors and corresponding outcomes in recipients have not been studied in humans. Therefore, our primary objective was to examine this relationship between donor age and recipient outcomes among patients that received plasma during and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. ⋯ We did not observe an association between donor age and recipient outcomes among patients who received plasma perioperatively while undergoing CABG surgery.
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The acute treatment of severe warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) is focused on maximizing the oxygen delivery capacity of the patient's circulation and reversal of the underlying autoimmune process. The most effective means of preventing ischemic injury acutely is replacement of red blood cells (RBCs) via allogeneic RBC transfusion. However, in cases where this is not an option, other strategies must be considered including the use of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs). ⋯ Early recognition of the need and ready familiarity with its properties on the part of the physician are critical to the utilization of HBOC-201 in a safe and timely fashion.