Transfusion
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Platelet (PLT) transfusions are administered in cardiac surgery to prevent or treat bleeding, despite appreciation of the risks of blood component transfusion. The current analysis investigates the hypothesis that PLT transfusion is associated with adverse outcomes associated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). ⋯ PLT transfusion in the perioperative period of CABG was associated with increased risk for serious adverse events. PLT transfusion may be a surrogate marker for sicker patients and have no causal role in the outcomes observed. However, a direct contribution to outcomes remains possible.
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Blood components that appear hemolyzed are discarded. However, visual inspection is subjective and criteria for excessive hemolysis are poorly defined. ⋯ Visual assessment of hemolysis can result in unnecessary wastage of blood components. HemoCue offers an alternative, objective method to assess plasma Hb in the setting of blood collection and processing facilities for routine quality control and process validation, and may aid in the development of objective criteria for excessive hemolysis in blood components.
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A Hb balance model was used in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants to predict posttransfusion Hb levels from which we inferred allogeneic RBC recovery after transfusion of RBCs stored for varying periods of time. ⋯ Our model-predicted RBC survival results are consistent with-but not direct evidence of-hemolysis of donor blood after RBC transfusion. Although observed post-RBC Hb levels 2 days after transfusion averaged only 4 percent less than predicted, model-predicted survival of donor RBCs at 42 days suggested a modest decrease (i.e., by 10%).
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In January 2003, white particulate matter (WPM) was detected in blood components. Because the composition and cause of WPM was not understood at that time, there was uncertainty about whether WPM could endanger patient safety. To investigate possible adverse patient events associated with WPM, transfusion reaction rates were examined. ⋯ No overall changes in reported adverse reaction rates occurred over the survey period or in the proportion of reaction types during January 2003 when WPM was detected. Statewide surveillance of transfusion reactions could be useful to evaluate potential threats to blood safety.