Transfusion therapy resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ayokunle Olubaniyi, M.B,B.S [2]

Overview

Blood transfusion is the process of transferring blood or blood products obtained from one person (donor) into the circulatory system of another (recipient).

Massive blood transfusion refers to transfusing a large volume of blood to a patient, especially in trauma patients with uncontrollable hemorrhage. Several definitions used in the past include:

• Transfusion of 20 units of red blood cells (RBCs) in 24 hours.
• Transfusion of greater than 10 units of RBCs in 24 hours.

Currently, it is more practical to identify patients in need of massive transfusion when greater than four red blood cell units is needed in one hour and an ongoing need for transfusion is predicted, or when 50% of total blood volume is replaced within 3 hours. These situations often require the activation of massive transfusion protocols (MTP).

Blood Products and Indications for Use

Blood Products	Indications	Dose
Packed red blood cells (PRBC)	❑ Acute hemorrhage ❑ To ↑ O2-carrying capacity of blood in cases of end-organ ischemia	1 unit of PRBC = ↑ Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration by 1 g/dL Transfuse slowly for the first 15 minutes Complete transfusion within 4 hours.
Platelets (Plts)	In patients with thrombocytopenia (plts < 150,000 cells/uL) ❑ For prophylaxis (to prevent bleeding) ❑ For treatment (during active bleeding) Contraindications ❑ TTP/HUS, HIT, HELLP syndrome Click here for more information.	1 apheresis unit = 6 units of plts in 250 - 300 mls of plasma 1 dose of apheresis unit = ↑ plt count by 30,000 - 60,000/uL
Fresh frozen plasma
Cryoprecipitate
Immunoglobulins
Albumin
Irradiated
Cytomegalovirus-negative
Leuko-reduced

Management

General Approach

Characterize the symptoms: ❑ Low red blood cell count or low hemoglobin level ❑ Difficulty concentrating ❑ Difficulty sleeping ❑ Dizziness ❑ Easy fatigability ❑ Headache ❑ Pale skin ❑ Rapid heart beat ❑ Shortness of breath ❑ Low white blood cell count ❑ Abnormal bleeding ❑ Fever ❑ Irritability ❑ Neurasthenia ❑ Recurrent infections - canker sores, gingivitis, periodontitis ❑ Low platelet count ❑ Blood in urine or stool ❑ Easy or excessive bruising ❑ Heavy menstrual flow ❑ Prolonged bleeding during surgery or after dental work ❑ Prolonged bleeding from cuts

Obtain a detailed history: ❑ Review medical records ❑ Past medical history ❑ Previous blood transfusion ❑ Cardiovascular disease ❑ Trauma ❑ Previous Surgery ❑ Infections e.g., HIV ❑ Malignancy ❑ Chronic kidney disease ❑ Medications - anticoagulants, thrombolytics -

Examine the patient: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Order laboratory tests: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Pre-transfusion preparation: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Low hemoglobin level

Coagulopathy

Low platelets

Coagulation factor deficiency

Indications

Indications

Indications

Consider fresh frozen plasma

Consider cryoprepitate

Consider prothrombin complex concentrate

Packed Red Blood Cells

Low hemoglobin concentration: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Review indications to transfuse: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Actively bleeding: ❑ Frank bleeding ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Occult bleeding ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Yes

No

Asymtomatic

Symptomatic: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Symptomatic: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Asymptomatic

Treat

Transfuse packed red blood cells

Treat

Monitoring: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Manage complications: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

Treat underlying cause: ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑

References

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