Tag: transfusion
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Cold-Stored Platelets and Room Temperature Platelets
With the introduction of cold-stored platelets (CSP) into practice, transfusion services have encountered challenges in interpreting FDA guidance. The FDA indicates that CSP may be used to treat active bleeding when conventional platelets—room temperature platelets (RTP)—are unavailable or impractical to use.1 In addition, the FDA requires transfusion services to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) that…
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Prophylactic red blood cell matching in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT)
The January 2025 issue of the British Journal of Haematology (BJHAEM) published an updated evidence-based guideline for red blood cell antigen matching in patients with hemoglobinopathies.1 Alloimmunization to red blood cell antigens has been linked to patient morbidity and mortality in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). The practice of transfusing…
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Are ABO-Identical Platelet Transfusions Better?
Platelets express numerous surface antigens including A, B, and H; and the plasma in which they are suspended contain the corresponding donor isohemagglutinins (antibodies to A or B antigen). Transfusion of incompatible platelets may result in hemolysis. However, because the risk is low, the practice of providing ABO-nonidentical (ABON) or ABO-identical (ABOI) platelets to patients…
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The Future of Blood Donation
Why does the American Red Cross frequently ask for blood donations?1 The facts are that at any moment countless patients depend on life-saving blood products which must be continuously replenished by donors. This dynamic balance of supply and demand must be approached with thoughtful analysis of the past as today’s blood establishments plan for the…
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When Less is More
Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in the United States among persons aged 1-44 years;”1” and trauma is an important driver of evidence-based medicine to reverse the lethal triad of hypocoagulation, hypothermia, and acidosis resulting from massive hemorrhage.”2“Many US adult trauma centers and some pediatric centers have adopted the use of low titer…
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The Monocyte Monolayer Assay (MMA)
Most patients have negative results in pretransfusion testing when their serum or plasma is tested for unexpected antibodies to red cells. For most patients with positive red cell antibody screens, the antibody–for example, anti-K or anti-E–is easily identified and antigen-negative blood can be obtained if needed. But some patients have multiple antibodies or antibodies to…
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Sickle Cell Awareness Month: How the American Red Cross Mission is Meeting the Need
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about sickle cell disease and its devastating impact on individuals and families. While sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S., occurring in 1 in 365 Black or African American births, limited healthcare resources have historically been…
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Young Apheresis Platelet Donors Give Hope To The Resiliency Of The US Platelet Supply
Summary provided by Dr. Baia Lasky Platelet demand continues to increase (1) and U.S. hospitals face frequent shortages (2). Between 2010 and 2019, the American Red Cross’ (ARC) platelet distributions increased by 16.6% (778,775 to 907,851 units); therefore, a reliable and sustainable apheresis platelet donor (APD) base is essential to support patient care. . During…
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The Home Fire Campaign: Prevention is the Best Medicine
October 14, 2022. North Las Vegas, Nevada. Cherise Coleman and her family escaped a fire unharmed at their North Las Vegas home in September 2022, thanks to free smoke alarms installed a few years earlier by American Red Cross volunteers, including Eva Stowers (left). Few disasters cause as much harm to people and their homes…