Blood Supply For Transfusion Research Articles

A case study of a patient with anti-Yta alloantibodies against the high-prevalence antigen of red blood cells qualified for heart transplantation

The Yta antigen from the Cartwright blood group system is a high-prevalence antigen found in 99.8% of the population. The literature data shows that antibodies anti-Yta demonstrate the variable clinical significance and are rarely the cause of a hemolytic post-transfusion reaction. The study aims to present the difficulties related to the selection and sustainable supply of blood for transfusion for the patient of the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases with anti-Yta alloantibodies, qualified for a heart transplant. If Yt(a-) blood is not available Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine in Warsaw, referring to reports in the publications, allowed transfusion of the least incompatible red blood cells in indirect antiglobulin test. One hour after transfusion of leucocyte-depleted concentrate of red blood cells (RBCs), issued in accordance with the above recommendations by Regional Blood Donation Center in Katowice as the least incompatible, the patient was observed to experience symptoms of an adverse post-transfusion reaction. For subsequent transfusions, RBCs from Yt(a-) donors were selected, of which only eight were registered in Poland at that time. Medical decisions on RBCs transfusion in patients for whom no compatible blood can be selected is very difficult, and the benefits of incompatible transfusion should be weighed against the risk of possible complications. To avoid this, it should be remembered that the early identification of antibodies increases the chance of finding serologically compatible blood and in many cases allows to supply blood for a patient with autologous donations.

Optimal portfolios of blood safety interventions: test, defer or modify?

A safe supply of blood for transfusion is a critical component of the healthcare system in all countries. Most health systems manage the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) through a portfolio of blood safety interventions. These portfolios must be updated periodically to reflect shifting epidemiological conditions, emerging infectious diseases, and new technologies. However, the number of available blood safety portfolios grows exponentially with the number of available interventions, making it impossible for policymakers to evaluate all feasible portfolios without the assistance of a computer model. We develop a novel optimization model for evaluating blood safety portfolios that enables systematic comparison of all feasible portfolios of deferral, testing, and modification interventions to identify the portfolio that is preferred from a cost-utility perspective. We present structural properties that reduce the state space and required computation time in certain cases, and we develop a linear approximation of the model. We apply the model to retrospectively evaluate U.S. blood safety policies for Zika and West Nile virus for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019, defining donor groups based on season and geography. We leverage structural properties to efficiently find an optimal solution. We find that the optimal portfolio varies geographically, seasonally, and over time. Additionally, we show that for this problem the approximated model yields the same optimal solution as the exact model. Our method enables systematic identification of the optimal blood safety portfolio in any setting and any time period, thereby supporting decision makers in efforts to ensure the safety of the blood supply.

Damage to vessels and retroperitoneal organs during lumbar spine surgery through the posterior approach

The study objective is to summarize the existing literature and own experience related to damage to vessels, retroperitoneal organs, and abdominal organs during lumbar spine surgery through the posterior approach, as well as to identify risk factors associated with this damage and to describe measures for their elimination and prevention.Materials and methods. In addition to analyzing the research literature, we also described 9 cases (3 males and 6 females; mean age 52 ± 9 years) of intraoperative damage to vessels and adjacent organs during lumbar spine surgery for some degenerative disease, including herniated disc (n = 7), anterolisthesis (n = 1), and vertebral-motor segment instability (n = 1). The surgery was performed at the L4–L5 level (n = 7) and L5–S1 level (n = 2). Results. The damages observed in the cohort analyzed were caused by a conchotome (n = 6), transpedicular screw (n = 1), Volkmann spoon (n = 1), and a tip of the SpineJet Hydrodiscectomy System (n = 1). The following structures were damaged; left common iliac vein (n = 2), left common iliac artery (n = 2), left common iliac vein and root of the small-bowel mesentery (n = 1), sigmoid colon (n = 1), aorta (n = 1), inferior vena cava (n = 1), and aortocaval anastomosis (n = 1). Five patients had intraoperative hemorrhagic complications. Four patients were found to have damage to vessels or abdominal organs later (1 h, 2 h, 3 days, and 4 months postoperatively). Four patients were discharged without consequences; 2 patients became disabled; 3 patients died.Conclusion. Damage to vessels, retroperitoneal organs, and abdominal organs during lumbar spine surgery through the posterior approach is a rare, but mortally dangerous complication. Spine surgery should be performed in multi-unit hospitals that have a surgery unit, a vascular surgery unit, an intensive care unit, and a sufficient supply of blood for transfusion.

Assessment of physical damage of cryopreserved RBCs during thawing by impedance spectroscopy

Background: Preservation of red blood cells (RBCs) is an important task to ensure a long-term, readily available, safe blood supply for transfusion during emergency. Effective preservation procedures are required at various steps for the long-term storage of an RBC product including testing, inventory, quality control, and product distribution. Biopreservation is the process of maintaining the integrity and functionality of cells outside the native environment for long storage times. Hypothermic storage, cryopreservation, and lyophilization are the various methods of biopreservation. Objective: To monitor the physical integrity of erythrocytes after cryopreservation with the help of impedance spectroscopy. Materials and Methods: Cryoprotectants were added to protect the erythrocytes from cryoinjuries. In addition, the erythrocytes viability was monitored through hemolysis test. Afterward, the exact numbers of live or lysed cells were observed by the effect of thawing rate on the cells through impedance spectroscopy, as we know that there is a relationship between impedance, frequency, and temperature. Result: As the frequency increases, the impedance decreases, which indicates that the RBCs are lysed. The impedance starts decreasing at −200 °C and drastically decreased at −140 °C. Conclusion: This study indicates the real viability of the RBCs through impedance measurement by the impedance spectroscopy.

Attitudes towards blood donation and transfusion in Bamenda, Republic of Cameroon

This study was conducted in Bamenda, Cameroon. The objectives of the study were to develop a theoretical framework to better understand local attitudes towards blood donation and transfusion, to identify factors that motivate and deter blood donation and to identify interventions to improve the supply of blood for transfusion at Bamenda Regional Hospital. The supply of blood for transfusion in sub-Saharan Africa is insufficient. Cameroon has no national blood service and the collection and screening of blood is the responsibility of individual hospitals. At Bamenda Regional Hospital patient relatives recruit replacement blood donors, who may or may not be family members, and shortages of blood and delays in transfusion are frequent. Qualitative research methods were used: direct observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and a simulation exercise. Participants were clinical and laboratory staff, patient relatives, blood donors, secondary school students and community members. Attitudes towards blood donation and transfusion fit a transanctionalist framework of health decision making. Deterrents to blood donation are multiple and varied. Some form of compensation is often expected, even by family members, although the blood donation is still considered 'voluntary' by the donor. This study confirms that interventions to improve the blood supply must take into account local attitudes and conditions. In Bamenda, a variety of pragmatic approaches are required including education around specific biological misperceptions identified in the study and the retention of replacement donors as repeat donors. Issues around compensation for blood donation require further work.

Poverty and human development: access to a safe and adequate supply of blood for transfusion

Poverty and human development: access to a safe and adequate supply of blood for transfusion

US has biggest blood shortage since war

Nature, technology, and irrational fear have combined to create the greatest shortage of blood in the US since the second world war. A spokeswoman from the American Association of Blood Banks, which represents 2400 blood banks including the American Red Cross, said that demand for blood had risen beyond expectations while the supply had shrunk. About 40 cities across 21 states have postponed elective operations because blood banks have less than a day's supply of blood for transfusion on reserve. Blood banks in the US usually aim …