Transfusion therapy

Question 1

Know the types of transfusion products available for use in veterinary medicine and explain their indications and contraindications of use in specific patients - Whole Blood

Answer 1

Whole blood -
contains RBC, serum proteins, coag factors and platelets . platelets lost 2-4 hours post collections. Factor V and VIII lost within 24 hours
Indications - acute haemorrhage, anaemia, coagulopathy, hypovolaemia as well
Adv - can replace multi components, so useful in vit k coagulopathy where they need volume expansion, rbcs and clotting factors. Readily available from live donors
disadv - severe IMHA with normal or inc blood volume, limited by the blood volume rather than the red cell content that needs to be delivered. Also can cause immunological transfusion reactions in any of the parts in whole blood.

Question 2

Know the types of transfusion products available for use in veterinary medicine and explain their indications and contraindications of use in specific patients - Packed RBC

Answer 2

Packed RBC
Unit of blood is centrifuged and plasma siphoned off.
More versatile than whole blood, really useful for anemic patients with normal blood volume
Adv - same number of rbc of one unit of whole blood , remain in circulation for up to 28 days (so if not antibody reaction , ie. chronic renal failure and aplastic anemias, will last about a month)
disad - rbc’s are the most antigenic blood component so there is some risk of transfusion reactionpAC

Question 3

Calculate volume to be infused blood based off patient and donor PCV

Answer 3

Volume to be transfused (ml) = BWT X 70(cat) or 90(dog) x desired PCV - recipient PCV / (Donor PCV (BAG) )

Question 4

Recognise the risk factors for the different types of transfusion reactions and discuss their prevention and management.