Vox sanguinis
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The type and clinical characteristics of patients identified with commonly used definitions of massive transfusion (MT) are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to define the clinical characteristics of patients meeting different definitions of MT for the purpose of patient recruitment in observational studies. ⋯ The 5/4 h MT definition was the most inclusive, but combination with the 10/24 h definition appeared to identify a clinically important patient cohort.
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The International Society of Blood Transfusion Working Party on red cell immunogenetics and blood group terminology convened during the International congress in Cancun, July 2012. This report details the newly identified antigens in existing blood group systems and presents three new blood group systems.
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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a frequent condition with a prevalence of 5-15% in the general population. Clinical and genetic observations have shown that iron deficiency, highly prevalent among blood donors, can be related to RLS. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of RLS in female blood donors 1 week after blood donation. ⋯ Restless legs syndrome prevalence in female blood donors is not as important as described in some other studies, which could reassure blood donors. The prevalence of hypermenorrhaea and fatigue is higher in RLS blood donors. Therefore, screening for fatigue and hypermenorrhaea could be considered as these symptoms are associated with RLS in female blood donors.
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Obtaining accurate and precise platelet enumeration in automatic platelet analysers at low platelet counts is a challenge. To explore the performance of current haematology analysers in counting platelet concentrations usually used as platelet transfusion threshold. ⋯ The results suggest that significant inaccuracy exists in counting low levels of platelets and that this inaccuracy might have a significant impact in under- and overtransfusion of platelet concentrates to patients.
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Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) and other proinflammatory mediators, which are accumulated during the storage process, might induce transfusion adverse events. We hypothesized that the PMP primed polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) respiratory burst after the transfusion, which could be linked to the transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). ⋯ The platelet-derived microparticles, which carried the sCD40L, accumulated in the apheresis platelet concentrates during the 5 days of storage. They primed the fMLP-activated PMN respiration burst, which might be relative to TRALI.