Cryopreservation of blood products, which maintains their activity, is an effective way to increase their storage time. Plasma products are routinely stored frozen, but RBCs are sometimes cryopreserved (for cryopreserved hematopoietic progenitor cell products, see Chapter 84, Chapter 85 ).…
Description Although typically of little consequence in immunocompetent individuals, primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in at-risk populations. TT-CMV is a serious complication of cellular blood product transfusion. Indications Studies suggest that 13%–37% of immunocompromised…
Leukocytes (white blood cells [WBCs]) remain in red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) components after simple component preparation. Residual leukocytes have the potential to cause harmful effects in the transfusion recipient including febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs), HLA alloimmunization,…
Irradiation (or pathogen inactivation) of blood products is performed to abrogate the risk of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), a rare and almost universally fatal complication of blood transfusion with no successful treatment options. Irradiation results in the generation of electrons…
Patients with coagulation factor deficiencies were first treated with plasma products, but a wide variety of human-, animal-, and laboratory-derived products now exist for safer, more effective treatment. Each coagulation factor product differs in its composition, major indication, and dosage…
Rh immune globulin (RhIg) is a human plasma–derived product consisting of IgG antibodies to the D antigen. First licensed in 1968, it is used to prevent immunization to the D antigen in D-negative individuals and for the treatment of immune…
Human Immunoglobulin Preparations Description Human immunoglobulins (Ig) are prepared from large pools of whole blood or apheresis-derived plasma. Ig preparations are concentrated (through Cohn fractionation), purified, filtered, and sterilized, making the risk of infectious disease transmission virtually zero ( Figure…
Albumin as compared with nonprotein colloid or crystalloid solutions has not been well addressed in appropriately designed studies. Thus, albumin administration is based on an individual patient’s clinical status. Clinical situations where albumin is commonly administered include replacement fluid for…
Granulocytes are the immune system’s main cellular defense against bacterial and fungal infections. Granulocyte transfusions are used in patients with prolonged neutropenia or functional neutrophil disorders and severe bacterial and fungal infections. Granulocyte transfusion clinical efficacy is not established. However,…
Product Cryoprecipitated antihemophilic factor (thawed cryoprecipitated AHF; cryoprecipitated AHF, pooled; also called cryoprecipitate and cryo). Description Cryoprecipitate is made from human plasma. When fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is thawed in the cold (1–6°C), a precipitate forms (the cryoprecipitate), after which…