Transfusion Flashcards
What are the two major blood groups?
ABO
Rhesus
Describe the ABO system
RBCs can be A, B, AB or O (depends on surface antigens)
Carry IgM against antibodies they do not carry –> HAEMOLYSIS
-O carries both anti-A/anti-B
-AB carries no antibodies
Describe the Rhesus system
RBCs can carry Rh D antigen or not (+ve/-ve)
If a Rh-ve pt receives Rh+ve blood they will produce IgG antibodies against Rh D
Second exposure –> HAEMOLYSIS
What are the two major tests performed when trying to group blood for a transfusion?
Blood Grouping - determines ABO/Rh status
Antibody Screening - screened for atypical antibodies that would cause haemolysis
What are the two major tests performed when trying to crossmatch blood for a transfusion?
Indirect agglutination
Direct agglutination
Describe indirect agglutination
Donor RBCs added to pt serum w/ Coombs reagent
Agglutination = pts serum has antibodies for donor RBCs
PRE-TRANSFUSION
Describe direct agglutination
Pts ‘washed’ RBCs added to Coomb’s reagent
Agglutination = AI haemolytic process occurring
What blood products need to be cross-matched?
ALL OF THEM
Except platelets
What blood products does the massive transfusion protocol make available?
2 units of O- blood available IMMEDIATELY
Blood of same ABO/Rh group available in 10-15 MINS
Cross-matched blood available w/i 45 MINS
What blood products are available for transfusion?
Packed red cells Platelet concentrates FFP Cryoprecipitate Factor VIII & IX concentrates Albumin IVIG
What are packed red cells, and what are they used for?
Blood w/ all plasma removed & replaced by an additive
-given w/ crystalloids/colloids in acute blood loss
What are platelet concentrates used for?
Treat bleeding in severe thrombocytopenia OR
Prophylactically in pts w/ bone marrow failure
What is FFP, and what is it used for?
Frozen plasma containing all coag factors
-used to replaced coag factors in acquired deficiencies
What is cryoprecipitate, and what is it used for?
FFP w/o the supernatant
-used in when the fibrinogen is v. low e.g. DIC
What are Factor VIII & IX concentrates, and what are they used for?
Specific factor concentrates
-used in haemophilia/vWD