Blood transfusions Flashcards
What is the difference between blood components and blood products?
Components - therapeutic constituent of blood, not covered by the medicines act
Products - produced by pharmaceutical processes, classed as medicines so covered by medicines act
How long can it take to get fully crossmatched red cells?
30-40 mins
How long can it take to get group specific red cells?
10-15 mins
How long can it take to get group O red cells?
< 5 mins
How long can it take to get plasma components?
30 mins as required thawing
How long can it take to get platelets?
Immediately
What is Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload?
TACO
How do you know how much blood to give to someone?
Identify appropriate Hb threshold and target for patient
Non-bleeding adults - single unit transfusion, then reassess after one unit
What are the risk factors for TACO?
Low body weight
Patients > 50
Patients with pre-existing conditions
How much will 4ml/kg of red cells increase Hb by in adults?
10g/L
How do you work out the volume to transfuse?
(Desired Hb g/L - actual Hb g/L x weight kg x factor)/10
What are irradiated components used for?
Prevention of Transfusion Associated Graft-Versus-Host Disease (TA-GvHD) in severely immunocompromised patients
Prevents donor T cells causing tissue and organ damage
Not required for all immunocompromised patients
Not required for plasma components due to absence of destruction of T cells
What is CMV screened blood used for?
Virus lies latent in white blood cells (UK blood components leucodepleted so risk significantly reduced)
For elective transfusions in pregnancy (not in emergency or at time of delivery)
Intrauterine transfusions
Neonates (up to 28 days post expected date of delivery)
Granulocytes to patients
What are washed cells used for?
Indicated for patients with recurrent or severe allergic reactions to red cells
Discuss with haem
What is HLA and HPA matched blood used for?
Considered where lower than expected improvement in platelet count following platelet transfusions
What are monoclonal antibody treatments for? What is the issue with them in terms of transfusions?
Used in treatment of patients with haematological malignancies
May interfere with serological testing in transfusion laboratory
Induced reactivity can persist for up to 6 months after last treatment
Inform lab if patient is on or due to start monoclonal therapy
When is extended phenotyping of blood required?
Patients with haemoglobinopathies
How are red cells stored?
2-6 degrees
Shelf life 35 days
How quickly does a red cell transfusion need to occur?
Within 4 hours of removal from the fridge
What happens if red blood cells are not transfused?
Can be returned to lab with clear documentation confirming length of time out of fridge
If not started within 30 mins can be transfused as long as transfusion rate allows completion within 4 hours of removal from fridge
How are platelets stored?
20-24 degrees in agitation
Shelf life 5-7 days
How is FFP and cryoprecipitate stored?
-25 degrees
Shelf life 3 years
Thawed upon request
What antibodies does group O blood have?
A and B
What antibodies does group AB blood have?
None
What antibodies does group A blood have?
B
What antibodies does group B blood have?
A
What is the universal donor blood group for red cells?
O
What is the importance of RhD?
85% population D positive
If D negative or of childbearing potential and unknown blood group = D negative components
If exposed to positive D red cells, may produce anti-D which can cause haemolytic disease of the newborn in future pregnancies
In an emergency can use D positive if D negative. Doesn’t cause acute problem but will require D negative for all future transfusions
What is the compatibility of platelets?
ABO antibodies in donor plasma within platelet component can cause haemolysis of patient’s red cells
AB or A universal group
What is the universal group for FFP/cryoprecipitate?
AB or A
How quickly should red cells be transfused?
90-120 mins per unit
If at risk of TACO slower, careful haemodynamic monitoring
Rapid transfusion in major haemorrhage
How quickly should platelets be transfused?
30-60 mins
Rapid if major haemorrhage
How quickly should FFP/cryoprecipitate be transfused?
10-20 mls/kg/hr
What are the S&S of a transfusion reaction?
Fever, chills, rigors
Angioedema, anaphylaxis
New hypo- or hypertension tachycardia
Dyspnoea, stridor, wheeze, hypoxia
Fall in urine output, haemoglobinuria
New pain, myalgia
Nausea
Urticaria, rash, pruritis, flushing
Severe anxiety
Feeling of impending doom
What is the emergency management of a transfusion reaction?
Stop transfusion
Require medical advice immediately
Assess and maintain ABC
Maintain IV access
Check component compatibility
Treat