Risk Of Transfusion-related Complications Research Articles

Effect of Oral Erythropoietin in Prevention of Anemia of Prematurity

Introduction: Anemia of prematurity (AOP) is a common problem of very low birth weight babies. Blood transfusion is a necessity when it occurs in moderate to severe form putting the child in to the risk of transfusion related complications. Erythropoietin, a potent stimulator of hemopoesis is available in breast milk in good amount and absorbed intact under physiologic condition. In this background oral recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) can be a useful alternative to its subcutaneous administration in prevention of AOP.Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of oral rhEPO in the prevention of AOP in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates.Methods: This randomized controlled study conducted in the NICU of BSMMU over one year. Total 60 preterm (<34 weeks)VLBW (<1500g) infants were enrolled and randomly divided into Control (group-I), Oral (group-II) and Subcutaneous (group III). Experimental groups (group-II & group-III) received rhEPO 400 IU/Kg, 3 times weekly in oral and subcutaneous (S/C) route respectively and continued for 2 weeks (Total 6 doses). Therapy was initiated 14 days after birth when the baby achieved oral feeding of at least 50 ml/kg/day of breast milk. All infants received oral iron and folic acid supplementation up to 12 weeks of postnatal age. Transfusion data were recorded. Anthropometric and hematological assessments were done at 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks of age.Results: Baseline clinical characteristics and hematological values were almost similar in all groups. Mean hemoglobin were 11.34±0.68gm/dl, 11.88±0.54gm/dl& 12.12±1.32 gm/dl, the mean hematocrit were 34.11±2.03%, 35.66±1.65% & 36.38±3.97% and the mean reticulocyte were 7.56±2.48%, 9.85±1.50% & 9.22±3.11% in the control, oral and subcutaneous group respectively and the differences are statistically significant (p<0.05).Weight gain was higher in the intervention group at 6 and 12 weeks follow up than the control group(p<0.05).Only 2 (5.25%) infants, one in each of the intervention groups required blood transfusion, compared to 6 (31.5%) infants in control group (p<0.01).Conclusion: Oral EPO is as good as subcutaneous use of EPO in stimulating erythropoesis, maintaining HCT and Hb at high level and is safe in preterm baby.Bangladesh J Child Health 2017; VOL 41 (2) :101-109

Rotational thromboelastometry for diagnosing sudden hyperfibrinolysis immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery

Rotational thromboelastometry for diagnosing sudden hyperfibrinolysis immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery

Fibrinogen replacement therapy: a critical review of the literature.

Fibrinogen is a plasma glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 340 kDa; it is synthesised by the liver. The conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin is catalysed by thrombin and plays a key role in clot formation and stabilisation. In addition, fibrinogen induces platelet activation and aggregation by binding to the platelet fibrinogen receptor glycoprotein GPIIb/IIIa1. Fibrinogen replacement therapy is currently indicated as prophylaxis and therapy of haemorrhage in congenital and acquired fibrinogen deficiency, this latter being associated with liver failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, massive transfusion and cardiac surgery)2,3. Hypofibrinogenaemia is defined by a decreased level of normal fibrinogen between 0.5 g/L and the lower limit of the normal range for the local laboratory (usually 1.5 g/L)4. Fibrinogen supplementation can be provided by transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP), cryoprecipitate and fibrinogen concentrate5,6. However, as FFP has several limitations including a low fibrinogen content, which means that large volumes must be given, and the risk of transfusion-related complications (e.g., transfusion-related acute lung injury [TRALI] and viral transmission), this critical analysis is focused on the role of cryoprecipitate and fibrinogen concentrate.

The impact of training in transfusion medicine

Background Basic training skills and program for all health care providers working in the blood transfusion services is important and essential. All blood transfusion staff should have active participation in a training program that includes teaching all national and international regulations related to blood transfusion administration and guidelines of safe blood and blood products. The blood bank staff (physicians, medical technologists and nurses) should pass proper assessment procedures in order to work in this vita health related services. All staff working in blood transfusion services should receive a proper education and learning skills in this field of medicine. Awareness of blood safety and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in blood transfusion should be greatly increased among them.Methods and Results Sustainable national and international education and training in blood transfusion services are needed and should be considered as a priority. Methods of teaching and training may include courses or workshops consist of a series of lectures, practical sessions, problem based learning and computer based distance learning programs. A proper training and continuous medical education in blood transfusion services have played an important role in minimizing the risk of transfusion related complications in many countries.Conclusions Creating an effective learning and training environment is a real challenge for most developing countries. Transfusion medicine is a branch of medicine which has a great link with almost all medical and surgical specialties. Blood transfusion safety plays an important and significant role in the patient's management. Proper qualified training personnel are the key of delivering safe blood components and the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in blood transfusion services.

Decreasing blood donor exposure in neonates on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been successful treatment (80% survival) in over 2,000 neonates with severe respiratory failure (80% predicted mortality without ECMO). Neonates on ECMO require frequent blood product replacement, which increases donor exposure (DE) and the risk of transfusion related complications. Successful, widespread usage of ECMO in neonatal respiratory failure is placing increased numbers of surviving infants at risk for acute and long-term transfusion related problems. We assessed DE rates in 21 consecutive neonatal ECMO survivors. In the first 12 patients packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions were administered as 10 mL/kg body weight for hematocrit less than 45%. PRBC exchange transfusions were used in patients with hematocrit less than 45% and hypervolemia. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and cryoprecipitate (CRYO) infusions were used empirically for evidence of hemorrhage. DE rates (donors per ECMO day, mean +/- SD) were: PRBC (2.8 +/- 0.6), FFP/CRYO (0.5 +/- 0.7), and platelet (2.0 +/- 1.0), with a total donor exposure rate of 5.3 +/- 2.0 donors per ECMO day. Mean duration of ECMO was 4.6 +/- 2.0 days and total DE per infant was 22.8 +/- 9.5 donors per ECMO run. In a protocol (n = 9) to minimize DE risks, exchange transfusions were eliminated and PRBC transfusion volumes were increased to 15 mL/kg. Empiric use of FFP and CRYO was discontinued. The blood bank divided standard units of PRBCs into four aliquots and dispensed each aliquot sequentially before dispensing blood from another unit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)