Transfusion
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Retransfusion of filtered shed blood in primary total hip and knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized clinical trial.
Allogeneic blood transfusions are associated with a number of well-recognized risks and complications. Postoperative retransfusion of filtered shed blood is an alternative to (reduce) allogeneic blood transfusion. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical efficacy of retransfusion of filtered shed blood and to evaluate the complications, in particular febrile reactions. ⋯ Postoperative retransfusion of filtered shed blood is effective for decreasing allogeneic blood transfusions after total hip and knee arthroplasty. There was no relationship between retransfusions and postoperative febrile reactions.
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There are no current estimates of the residual risks of transmission by blood of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in China. Such estimates are an essential prerequisite to monitoring and improving transfusion safety as well as supporting evidence based assessment of the value of implementing new screening interventions. ⋯ Relative to that reported for Western blood systems, the prevalence and the residual risk of HBV and HCV are high, whereas HIV is comparable. Pending a formal cost-effectiveness study for NAT, implementing improved HBsAg and combination HCV antibody-antigen assays in Shenzhen would markedly reduce the residual risk.
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Meta Analysis
Lower or higher doses for prophylactic platelet transfusions: results of a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
There are conflicting data regarding the optimal platelet (PLT) dose to transfuse prophylactically to patients with thrombocytopenia. A meta-analysis has been performed to summarize the results of different randomized controlled trials (RCTs). ⋯ Few RCTs have addressed the issue of PLT dose for transfusion. It is shown that the transfusion of higher doses of PLTs is statistically associated with an increase in the transfusion interval and in the posttransfusion PLT count increment. A well-designed study of enough power is essential to establish the most effective and efficient dose for prophylactic PLT transfusions.
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New testing methods such as nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) and chemiluminescent serologic assays have been introduced, more precise estimates for infectious window periods are available, and a new method for estimating the residual risk (RR) of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) has been developed. Thus, available RR estimates for Canada need to be updated. ⋯ New tests have reduced an already low risk of TTI in Canada. HCV RR estimates by two different methods differed but both were low.
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The traditional method of calculating blood volume for pediatric transfusion in the UK is weight (kg) x aimed increment in hemoglobin concentration (Hb; g/dL) x the transfusion factor, usually quoted at 3 or 4. This equation is without evidence base. The aim was to assess how the volume of red cells (RBCs) affects the increase in serum Hb in children and to devise a formula that allows accurate volume calculation. ⋯ The following equation should be used to calculate transfusion volumes: weight (kg) x increment in Hb (g/dL) x 3/(hematocrit [Hct] level of RBCs). This predicts that with a UK standard Hct of 0.6, 10 mL/kg gives an increment of 2 g/dL. Care must be taken not to risk hypervolemia, while minimizing donor exposure. Hb estimation 1 hour after transfusion is the same as 7 hours after transfusion.