7. Epilogue: the future of blood

2016 ◽  
pp. 124-130
Author(s):  
Chris Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Blood Substitute ◽  
Liquid Form ◽  
Blood Typing ◽  
Cell Technology ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusions

For a long time, synthetic biologists have attempted to manufacture an artificial, easily stored and transported, blood substitute that does not require blood typing, is long lasting, and can be guaranteed pathogen free. Three different methods have been attempted to replace red blood cell transfusions: the use of perfluorocarbons, inert chemicals that, in liquid form, can dissolve gases without reacting with them; creating a haemoglobin-based blood substitute—but despite almost a billion dollars of research and development there is not one in general use today; and growing artificial red blood cells using stem cell technology—but doing this safely, reproducibly, and in large amounts is a huge bioengineering challenge.

Retrospective Study of 122 Dogs That Were Treated with the Antifibrinolytic Drug Aminocaproic Acid: 2010–2012

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Davis ◽  
Kiko Bracker
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Aminocaproic Acid ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Antifibrinolytic Drugs ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusions

ABSTRACT Antifibrinolytic drugs are used to promote hemostasis and decrease the need for red blood cell transfusion. Medical records of 122 dogs that were prescribed either oral or intravenous aminocaproic acid between 2010 and 2012 were evaluated retrospectively. Of the 122 dogs, three experienced possible drug-related adverse effects. No significant differences were identified between dogs that experienced adverse effects and those that did not and the possible adverse effects noted were all minor. All dogs that received packed red blood cell transfusions were evaluated for correlations between baseline packed cell volume or dose of red blood cells and aminocaproic acid dose and no correlation was identified. Dogs that received aminocaproic acid as a treatment for active bleeding were divided by cause of hemorrhage into the following groups: neoplastic, non-neoplastic, and unknown. No significant differences in aminocaproic acid dose or the percentage of patients requiring a blood transfusion were identified between groups.

Adequacy of Physician Documentation of Red Blood Cell Transfusion and Correlation With Assessment of Transfusion Appropriateness

2006 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 474-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark T. Friedman ◽  
Amber Ebrahim
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Major Function ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusions ◽  
Enhance Efficiency ◽  
Transfusion Guidelines

Abstract Context.—A major function of the hospital transfusion service is to assess the appropriateness of blood transfusion. Inadequate documentation of transfusions may hamper this assessment process. Objective.—To correlate the level of physician documentation of transfusion with the ability to justify transfusion. Design.—Retrospective review of red blood cell transfusions in adult patients in 2 hospital facilities during 1-week audit periods of each month from April 2001 to March 2003. Assessment forms were used to classify the level of physician documentation of transfusions into 3 groups: adequately, intermediately, and inadequately documented. Transfusions were deemed justified or not via comparison with hospital transfusion guidelines. Results.—There were 5062 audited red blood cells transfused to 2044 adult (≥18 years) patients. Medical records from 154 patients transfused with 257 units of red blood cells during 172 transfusion events were reviewed after initial screenings of hemoglobin/hematocrit values failed to justify the transfusions. Nine percent of adequately documented, 50% of intermediately documented, and 73% of inadequately documented transfusion events could not be justified. Transfusion events with suboptimal (intermediate and inadequate) documentation accounted for 49% of all medical record–reviewed transfusion events and 62% could not be justified. The correlation between inadequate documentation and failure to justify transfusion was significant (P < .001), as was the correlation between suboptimal documentation and failure to justify transfusion (P = .03). Conclusions.—There is a significant correlation between suboptimal documentation and failure to justify transfusions. Educating clinicians to improve documentation along with appropriate indications for transfusions may enhance efficiency of blood utilization assessment and lead to reduced rates of unjustifiable transfusions.

scholarly journals Red blood cells transfusions in oncological patients treated with radio- and chemoterapy

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
Ana Antic ◽  
Zoran Stanojkovic
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Hematological Parameter ◽  
Malignant Diseases ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
Oncological Patients ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusions

Background/Aim. Anemia is one of the most frequent hematology disorders in patients with malignant diseases. It has a great influence on reduction of the quality of life, so it requires early diagnosis and an adequate treatment. The aim of this study was to present and analyze the treatment of anemia using red blood cell transfusions in patients with malignancies, to analyze adequate use of red blood cell transfusions according to hemoglobin concentration, and also the influence of the treatment of malignant disease on the level of anemia and use of red blood cells transfusion. Methods. This retrospective analysis included the data on the use of red blood cells in Oncological Clinic of Clinical Center Nis in a period from the 1st January 2008 to the 31st December 2008. Results. None of the patients received the whole blood. In this period, 735 patients received 1,006 units of red blood cells (red blood cell concentrate, resuspended, washed, filtered). An average use of red blood cell transfusion was 1.37 unit per oncological patient who received transfusion. The use of red blood cell units was adequate (87.60% of patients received transfusion of red cells when Hgb < 80 g/L). During radio- and chemotherapy we noticed a decrease of hematological parameter values. The patients of the experimental group were dependant on red blood cells transfusion. Statistically, a significant decrease of hemoglobin level was observed in patients treated only with radiotherapy who are the greatest consumers of red blood cells. Two patients were registered who more likely to have febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions. Posttransfusion alloimmunization occurred in 0.68% of the patients. Conclusion. The use of red blood cells in oncological patients is in compliance with the up to date tendencies and recommendations published in clinical guidelines. For the purpose of efficient transfusion support in patients with malignant diseases, we have to follow the newest knowledge and attitudes about clinical use of blood products.

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