Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a procedure in which whole blood of the patient is passed through an apheresis device, which separates and removes plasma. Other components are returned to the patient together with replacement fluid. Pathophysiology TPE is used…
Apheresis is derived from a Greek word “aphairesis,” which means “to remove forcibly.” Whole blood is removed from a subject, separated into components extracorporeally (RBCs, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma), desired blood component is removed, and remaining components are…
Introduction Transfusion-transmitted diseases (TTDs) are caused by viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and prions. Examples of broad spectrum of infections of contemporary interest to transfusion medicine community include Babesia , Plasmodia , dengue, and Zika viruses in addition to historically important transfusion-transmitted…
Iron overload is an excess of systemic iron, leading to its progressive accumulation in vital organs (e.g., liver, heart, pancreas, and endocrine organs). When untreated, iron overload increases the risk of liver cirrhosis, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, hypogonadism, and…
Transfused blood products may have effects on recipient immunity. Broadly, these effects have been called transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM). Some TRIM effects are generally accepted, while others are a matter of debate. The TRIM effects can be categorized as beneficial or…
Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), a rare (1 fatality reported to FDA 2011–15) and almost universally fatal complication of blood product transfusion, is due to the cotransfusion of viable lymphocytes in cellular blood products, such as whole blood, red blood cells…
Posttransfusion purpura (PTP) is a rare complication of transfusion that most commonly occurs in previously pregnant women. PTP typically occurs 2–14 days after a transfusion of a blood product (most commonly a red blood cell [RBC] product), resulting in acute,…
Metabolic complications may occur when large volumes of blood products are transfused. The so-called lethal triad of massive transfusion, including acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy will be discussed in this chapter. Other complications of massive transfusion will be reviewed, including hyperkalemia,…
Transfusion of bacterially contaminated blood products may result in no symptoms, bacterial infection, sepsis, or death in the recipient. Bacterial pathogens have emerged as most common cause of transfusion-transmitted infections. Incidence of septic transfusion reactions (STRs) varies with type of…
Incidence The incidence of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and deaths due to TRALI has decreased substantially over the past decade, as TRALI mitigation strategies have been implemented. In 2006, 35 TRALI-related fatalities were reported to the FDA. These accounted…