CAM201 Transfusion and blood products

Question 1

What are the Indications for Blood Transfusions?

Answer 1

Only if the expected benefit will outweigh the potential risks

The decision to transfuse RBCs, for instance, depends on clinical judgement for the individual patient’s circumstance. Also depends on reactions to possible previous transfusion, and rare ABs present, etc.

Guidelines for RBC Transfusion based on Hb:
Hb >100mg/L - transfusion is unlikely to be appropriate

Hb 70-100mg/l - may be appropriate, especially if blood loss involved. If no other serious issues are present, treatment with iron may be appropriate to raise Hb levels (unless patient hypoxic, etc)

Hb s medical record

Record andy adverse effects

Question 2

What are the types of transfusion products?

Answer 2

PC - Packed Cells (RBCs)

Platelets

FFP - Fresh Frozen Plasma

Cryoprecipitate

Question 3

What is PC (Packed Cells) and what are indications?

Answer 3

PC = Packed RBCs without plasma

Used when patient required RBCs for O2 carrying (e.g. massive blood loss)

Must be ABO compatible

Question 4

What is ‘Platelets’ what are indication?

Answer 4

Just platelets.

Used if decreased Plt count, or if platelets are abnormal

E.g. bone marrow disease

*May contain RBCs so use ABO compatible

Question 5

What is ‘FFP’ and what are indications?

Answer 5

FFP = Fresh Frozen Plasma.

Contains plasma fluid, without blood cells

Contains all soluble coagulation factors

Used if need to replace coagulation factors
E.g. in liver disease, in massive transfusion where factors will need to be replaced, in DIC, to reverse Heparin/Warfarin overdose

Question 6

What is Cryoprecipitate?

Answer 6

Cryoprecipitate contains concentrated FVIII, VWF, FXIII and FI (fibrinogen)

Used when these factors need to be replaced, e.g. liver disease, DIC, massive transfusion.

Can be used to treat FVIII deficiency (Haemophilia A) or VWF deficiency if no better alternative