Blood Transfusion

Question 1

Define Blood product transfusion

Answer 1

Classified as blood components prepared in the blood transfusion centre:

• red cells, platelets, fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate
• or plasma derivatives e.g. albumin, coagulation factors and immunoglobulins)

Question 2

Summarise the indications for a blood product transfusion

Answer 2

RBC transfusion:
- Blood loss >30%
- symptomatic anaemia
Fresh Frozen Plasma:
- replacing a single factor (if single is unavailable)
- Acute Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC)
- life threatening haemorrhage
- trauma, particularly head
- prior to emergency invasive procedure
Cryoprecipitate
- DIC, advanced liver disease, reversal of thrombolytic therapy
Human Albumin Solution
- Burns
Platelets:
- bone marrow failure (reversible or chronic)
- platelet function disorder if bleeding/procedure is planned
- massive haemorrhage
- DIC, immune thrombocytopenia

Question 3

What are the complications of blood product transfusion?

Answer 3

• Acute/delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction (ABO incompatibility)
• Volume overload