Blood groups Flashcards
Blood Transfusion
blood or blood products from a donor being injected directly into the patient’s bloodstream. Eg used in treating anaemia, leukaemia, haemophilia, blood loss etc.
ABO blood group system and Rh blood group system
Antigen and antibodies
ABO antigens are sugars, Antigen is a substance that is capable of stimulating the formation of an antibody (a specific protein) Antibodies are produced in response to the antigen and combine with the antigen that initiated the response. Red Blood Cell surfaces contain antigens that are able to react with appropriate antibodies in the plasma.
Rh blood groups
Rh +/- antigens are proteins, based on antigens that occur on the surface of Red Blood Cells.
Rh+ has Rh antigens on RBC.
Rh– without the Rh antigens on RBC.
A person without Rh antigens is able to produce an anti-Rh antibody that reacts against those antigens.
Rh+ individuals cannot produce anti-Rh antibody.
General rules when
Blood type O can donate to any blood group (universal donor as has no antigens on it)
If it is O- then you have the best type of blood to receive any blood type.
Blood Type AB can receive any other type of blood (as it has doesn’t have any A or B antibodies in the plasma)
Rh + can not donate to a RH- blood type.
Whole blood transfusions
blood taken from the donor with a chemical added to prevent clotting. Used for patients with severe blood loss.
Red cell concentrates transfusions
Spinning blood at high speed in a centrifuge. Heavier cells sink to bottom, lighter plasma on top. May or may not remove WBC’s and platelets. (Most widely used component of blood and used in heart disease and severe anaemia patients)
Plasma transfusions
liquid part of blood. Given to patients with liver disease, needing extra clotting factors to control severe bleeding.
Platelet concentrates transfusion
patients who have abnormal or low level of platelets.
Cryoprecipitate transfusion
Freezing the plasma and thawing it slowly. When plasma thaws the cryoprecipitate remains solid. Contains substances necessary for blood clotting. Used in haemophilia or severe bleeding.
Immunoglobulins transfusion
group of proteins that act as antibodies and used in patients low in antibodies/no immunity to a disease. Ie Tetanus immunoglobulins used to treat tetanus.
Autologous transfusion
Using patients own blood. Collected from the patient about 4 weeks prior to surgery. Reduces risk of disease and side effects.
agglutination vs blood clotting
Agglutination means clumping of RBCs together due to antigen-antibody reaction (ABO incompatibility). Agglutination causes RBCs to undergo clumping and intravascular hemolysis. Blood coagulation, or clotting, is the process of converting blood into a semisolid jelly-like substance.
