Transfusion Medicine
Blood transfusion can be lifesaving and is currently the safest it has ever been. However, blood transfusion is associated with multiple adverse outcomes, including both noninfectious and infectious complications. Some mitigation strategies include donor testing and pathogen inactivation, irradiation, and leukoreduction of the products. The benefits and risks of transfusion must be considered for each patient for optimal outcome. Multidisciplinary blood management programs can reduce unnecessary transfusions and improve patients’ outcomes. The management of massive bleeding continues to evolve with the use of whole blood, higher ratios of plasma and platelets to red blood cell units, thromboelastography testing, and use of tranexamic acid. Antigen-matched red blood cells can decrease the risk of alloimmunization in patients who require frequent transfusions.
