8 Developing techniques in blood transfusion

Abstract

Expansion of transfusion medicine has led to an increasing awareness of the importance of its practice. Specialists in this branch of haematology whose main aim is to provide adequate and safe supplies of blood (and blood products) and to ensure these are used appropriately, are increasingly aware that to do this efficiently requires the development and utilization of new laboratory and technical procedures. Review of cross-matching techniques has led to the introduction of more rapid methods using low ionic strength saline. Use of monoclonal antibodies for blood grouping has made use of new technology, whilst allowing scarce human plasma to be used more appropriately for therapeutic purposes. Similarly, the implementation of a more rational approach to blood ordering, as in a maximum surgical blood-order schedule, allows for the more efficient use of donor blood. The use of microtitre plates for grouping and cross-matching techniques allows for speed and economy in the transfusion laboratory. Their use is also associated with increased automation and computer use. The possibility of using solid-phase techniques, monocyte-macrophage assays and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays introduces new techniques differing markedly from time-honoured liquid-phase serology methods. The application of flow cytometry, which has already been shown to be useful in many aspects of haematology, is also of benefit in the field of blood transfusion science. Safety of blood transfusion is an important aspect of its practice and has led to the introduction and development of screening tests for donor blood to exclude infection risks from such organisms as HIV-1, hepatitis B and non-A, non-B hepatitis. Another approach to ensure the safety of transfused blood has been increased usage of autologous transfusion by means of both predeposit donation and intraoperative cell salvage.