Blood Transfusion Flashcards
What 3 blood components can be taken from whole blood once it has been donated?
1) Red blood cells
2) Platelets
3) Plasma
Whole blood can be processed to give just red cells via what process?
Leucodepletion
Once whole blood has been processed to give plasma, what 3 things can this form?
1) Fresh frozen plasma
2) Cryoprecipitate
3) Undergo fractionation
Once whole blood has been processed to give plasma, it can undergo fractionation to give what 3 components?
1) Factor concentrates - FVIII, FIX, prothrombin complex
2) Albumin
3) Immunoglobulin
What is the usual transfusion time for 1 unit RBC?
1.30 to 3 hrs
What is the time limit for removal from cold storage to end of transfusion?
4hours
What must be done to the blood if its intended for rapid transfusion?
Placed in a blood warmer
The plasma which is removed to leave concentrated red cells is replaced by what?
Solution of electrolytes, glucose and adenine
Do we transfuse to normalise the Hb in anaemic patients?
No
What are the 3 reasons for transfusion RBCs?
1) Prevent the symptoms of anaemia
2) Improve quality of life of anaemic patients
3) Prevent ischaemic damage of end organs in anaemic patients
What is the cause of symptoms in anaemia?
Tissue hypoxia
What is the Tranfusion threshold trigger in anaemic patients?
The lowest concentration of Hb that is not associated with symptoms of anaemia
What are the 6 mechanisms of adaptation to anaemia?
1) Increased cardiac output
2) Increased cardiac artery blood flow
3) Increased oxygen extraction
4) Increase of red blood cell 2,3 DPG
5) Increased production of EPO
6) Increased erythropoiesis
What are the 2 main parameters which affect the adaptation mechanisms to anaemia?
1) Whether it is acute or chronic anaemia
2) Underlying conditions which affect the cardiac output, arterial blood flow or O2 saturation of Hb impair the adaptation mechanisms eg. CV disease, resp disease and age
What is the transfusion threshold (trigger) value for RBC transfusion in anaemic patients with mild symptoms?
What is the transfusion threshold (trigger) value for RBC transfusion in anaemic patients with CV disease?
What is the main reason for transfusion of RBCs?
To restore oxygen carrying capacity
What are the alternatives to RBC infusions?
1) Correction of treatable causes of anaemia - eg. iron, B12 and Folate deficiency, EPO treatment for patients with renal disease
2) Correction of coagulopathy - discontinuation of antiplatelet agents, administration of anti-fibrinolytic agents
Sometimes transfusion is used in acute anaemia due to blood loss, according to guidelines, what percentage of blood volume has to be lost for transfusion to be necessary?
> 40% transfusion is definitely necessary
30-40% transfusion is probably necessary
What is the threshold trigger value for patients on regular transfusions due to myeloid failure syndromes?
80-100g/dL
What 3 things should be taken into consideration in patients on regular transfusions for myeloid failure syndromes causing chronic anaemia?
1) Co-morbidities that affect cardiac and respiratory function
2) Iron overload
3) Adaptation to anaemia
What are the aims of transfusion in patients with chronic anaemia due to myeloid failure syndromes?
1) Symptomatic relief of anaemia
2) Improvement of quality of life
3) Prevention of ischaemic organ damage
What is the aim of transfusion in patients with chronic anaemia due to inherited anaemias (thalassaemia)?
Suppression of endogenous erythropoiesis
What is the trigger threshold for transfusion in patients with chronic anaemia due to inherited anaemias (thalassaemias)?
90-95 - target is 100-120g/L
What is the main thing to take into consideration for transfusion in patients with chronic anaemia due to inherited anaemias?
Iron overload
At what temperature are platelets stored and what is there shelf life from collection?
Stored at room temp - shelf life is 5 days from collection
What is the usual transfusion time for 1 unit of platelets?
30 mins
The adult therapeutic dose of platelets is platelets from how many pooled donations?
4 pooled donations
For what reason do we transfuse platelets?
Treatment of bleeding due to severe thrombocytopenia (low platelets) or platelet dysfunction - thus to prevent bleeding
What are the 2 contraindications for platelet transfusion in thrombocytopenia?
1) Heparin induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis
2) Thrombocytic thrombocytopenic purpura