Transfusion
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Red blood cell alloimmunization in sickle cell disease: prevalence in 2010.
Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) is frequently required for care of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Alloimmunization rates are high and may be reduced by matching for RBC antigens that can cause alloimmunization. ⋯ Though antigen typing before transfusion of people with SCD and providing antigen-negative units is now widely employed by sickle cell centers, the alloimmunization rate remains quite high in contemporary sickle cell populations and may be due in large part to transfusions received at institutions not providing extended matching.
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Review Case Reports
How do I allocate blood products at the end of life? An ethical analysis with suggested guidelines.
Blood products are scarce resources requiring prudent and reasoned allocation. The utilization of red blood cells and platelets in terminally ill patients can be complicated and requires guidelines tempered by individualized considerations. ⋯ Relevant literature is reviewed and ethical issues pertaining to each case are discussed. A practical approach to blood product utilization at the end of life is suggested.
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Recombinant activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has been increasingly used to stop massive bleeding after cardiothoracic surgical procedures. However, the risk : benefit profile of such a potent hemostatic agent remains unclear in the postsurgical patient, and the cost benefit is even less clear. In patients after lung transplantation, volume of blood transfused is of major concern, and all attempts are made to minimize large blood transfusions in this cohort. We report our experience with rFVIIa in patients with refractory bleeding after lung transplant surgery. ⋯ These data demonstrate that rFVIIa was associated with reduced blood loss, improvement of coagulation variables, and decreased need for transfusions. This reduction in losses led to a reduced requirement for blood transfusion, which may translate to a decrease in transfusion-related complications. Further investigation is needed to determine rFVIIa's safety and its efficacy in improving postoperative morbidity and mortality specifically in the field of post-lung transplantation surgery.
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Red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization is a major problem in chronically transfused patients because of the risk of hemolytic reactions and limited availability of compatible blood. This study was aimed at determining the characteristics of RBC alloimmunization in transfusion-dependent patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (MDS/CMML). ⋯ RBC alloimmunization occurs in 15% of MDS/CMML patients on chronic transfusion support and mostly involves the Rh system and Kell. Transfusing these patients with extended antigen-matched blood, including Kell and CcEe antigens, would presumably reduce the RBC immunization rate.
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Admission platelet (PLT) counts are known to be associated with all-cause mortality for seriously injured patients admitted to a trauma center. The course of subsequent PLT counts, their implications, and the effects of PLT therapy are less well known. ⋯ Admission PLT counts in critically injured trauma patients are usually normal, decreasing after admission. Low PLT counts at admission and during the course of trauma care are strongly associated with mortality.