Transfusion medicine reviews
-
Review Meta Analysis
Optimal Dose, Timing and Ratio of Blood Products in Massive Transfusion: Results from a Systematic Review.
Optimal dose, timing and ratio to red blood cells (RBC) of blood component therapy (fresh frozen plasma [FFP], platelets, cryoprecipitate or fibrinogen concentrate) to reduce morbidity and mortality in critically bleeding patients requiring massive transfusion is unknown. We performed a systematic review for randomized controlled trials (RCT) in MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, PubMed the Transfusion Evidence Library and using multiple clinical trials registries to 21 February 2017. Sixteen RCTs were identified: six completed (five in adult trauma patients, one pediatric burn patients) and ten ongoing trials. ⋯ Data from two trials were pooled in a meta-analysis for 28-day mortality because the transfusion ratios achieved were similar. Results from these two trials suggest higher transfusion ratios were associated with transfusion of more FFP and platelets without evidence of significant difference with respect to mortality or morbidity. On the limited evidence available, there is insufficient basis to recommend a 1:1:1 over a 1:1:2 ratio or standard care for adult patients with critical bleeding requiring massive transfusion.
-
Estimating blood demand to determine collection goals challenges many low-income countries. We sampled Tanzanian hospitals to estimate national blood demand. A representative sample based on probability proportional to size sampling of 42 of 273 (15%) Tanzanian transfusing hospitals was selected. ⋯ Nearly 98% of blood component demand was met. However, a large portion of the blood supply for the hospitals came from non-TNBTS blood banks. TNBTS could increase availability of safe blood through assuring the quality of donor selection and donation testing at non-TNBTS blood banks.
-
Multicenter Study
Plasma Transfusion in Patients With Cirrhosis in China: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.
Patients with cirrhosis used to be associated with frequent use of blood components because of their complex disorder of hemostasis and bleeding complications. Recent findings have indicated that patients with cirrhosis have a state of "rebalanced" or even procoagulant hemostasis and have questioned the prophylactic use of plasma. To evaluate the current status of plasma use in patients with cirrhosis, we conducted a retrospective survey in 11 tertiary-care hospitals in China from September 1 to October 31, 2013. ⋯ Prophylaxis or empirical plasma transfusion is still a common problem in managing patients with liver cirrhosis. Wide variations are found in plasma transfusion practice among hospitals. Effective measures to control and reduce empirical correction of abnormal coagulation tests through transfusing plasma should be strengthened urgently.
-
Review
Practical Use of Thromboelastometry in the Management of Perioperative Coagulopathy and Bleeding.
Achieving hemostasis after complex cardiovascular and transplant surgical procedures is one of the greatest challenges anesthesiologists face. Preoperative coagulation disturbances due to underlying disease or antithrombotic therapy are common, and they are worsened by intraoperative blood loss and fluid replacement. The coagulation reactions in vivo are incredibly complex interactions among blood cells, proteins, and vasculature, standing in sharp contrast to rather simple treatment options including transfusion of platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate. ⋯ However, increasing clinical experience with viscoelastic coagulation testing in cardiac and transplant anesthesia has introduced a paradigm shift, enabling clinicians to obtain clinically relevant coagulation data in a timely fashion and to treat a specific element of coagulation that is dysfunctional. Viscoelastic coagulation testing may facilitate an optimal use of blood components and other hemostatic agents, but its application is often practice specific (ie, type of surgery), and there are technical limitations and learning curves. The aims of this review are thus to summarize recent clinical data on viscoelastic coagulation testing and to provide practical examples of its use in complex cardiac surgical and transplant cases.
-
Thrombocytopenia affects approximately one fourth of neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units, and prophylactic platelet transfusions are commonly administered to reduce bleeding risk. However, there are few evidence-based guidelines to inform clinicians' decision-making process. Developmental differences in hemostasis and differences in underlying disease processes make it difficult to apply platelet transfusion practices from other patient populations to neonates. ⋯ Their unique physiology and associated complications make the risks and benefits of platelet transfusions difficult to understand. The goal of this review was to highlight research areas that need to be addressed to better understand the risks and benefits of platelet transfusions in neonates. Specifically, it will be important to identify neonates at risk of bleeding who would benefit from a platelet transfusion and to determine whether platelet transfusions either abrogate or exacerbate common neonatal complications such as sepsis, chronic lung disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, and retinopathy of prematurity.