may be benefi cial in certain subgroups of intensive care unit (ICU) patients [1] is interesting, since large observational studies demonstrate that transfusion is indepen dently associated with an increased risk of death [2]. Also, a systematic review showed that the benefi ts of trans fusion in the ICU do not outweigh the risks [3]. Sakr and colleagues ascribe their discrepant results to the ...

In sickle cell disease, deoxygenation of intra-erythrocytic hemoglobin S leads to hemoglobin polymerization, erythrocyte rigidity, hemolysis, and microvascular occlusion. Ischemia-reperfusion injury, plasma hemoglobin-mediated nitric oxide consumption, and free radical generation activate systemic inflammatory responses. To characterize the role of circulating leukocytes in sickle cell pathogen...

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is known to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality following blood transfusion in children and immunocompromised adults. In India, it is not mandatory to screen donated blood for CMV in blood banks. Very few studies have been conducted in India to estimate the seroprevalence of this infection in voluntary blood donors. This study was conducted to estimate the se...

The Blood Far Forward (BFF) research program was established to conduct blood product efficacy and safety studies, donor performance studies, and research on optimal training methods to improve the safety of blood collection and transfusion performed by Norwegian Naval Special Operation Commando soldiers. The use of intravenous fluids for volume replacement during hemorrhagic shock is controver...

In stable critically ill children, the adoption of a restrictive transfusion strategy based on a predefined hemoglobin threshold of 7 g/dl significantly decreased transfusion requirements without affecting outcome. These results strengthen previous observations made in volume resuscitated adults when a similar blood transfusion strategy was used. It also indirectly corroborates studies reportin...

Evidence from a variety of sources indicate that allogeneic blood transfusions can induce clinically significant immunosuppression, as well as other effects, in recipients. This clinical syndrome is generally referred to in the Transfusion Medicine literature as transfusion-associated immunomodulation, or TRIM. TRIM has been linked to an improved clinical outcome in the setting of renal allogra...

BACKGROUND Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting humans, acquired initially through infection with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). A small number of vCJD cases have been acquired through the transfusion of blood from asymptomatic donors who subsequently developed vCJD. Filter devices that selectively bind the infectious agent ass...

The effectiveness of different methods of leukoreduction in preventing alloimmune platelet refractoriness was evaluated in a canine model. Platelets from a random donor dog were administered for up to 8 weeks or until platelet refractoriness. Standard (STD; unmodified) platelets were accepted by 14% of recipients (n 7) compared with 14% for centrifuge leukoreduced (C-LR) platelets (n 21) and 31...

INTRODUCTION Hyperleukocytosis (HL) and leukostasis seen in myeloid leukemias are a medical emergency. We present a case series of ten such patients in a 4-year period. Sixteen therapeutic leukocyte reduction (TLR) were done in ten cases along with other supportive measures. The American Society for Apheresis supports the routine implementation of TLR in cases of HL secondary to myeloid leukemi...