Alyssa Ziman

Transfusion reactions: prevention, diagnosis, and treatment

Blood transfusion is one of the most common procedures in patients in hospital so it is imperative that clinicians are knowledgeable about appropriate blood product administration, as well as the signs, symptoms, and management of transfusion reactions. In this Review, we, an international panel, provide a synopsis of the pathophysiology, treatment, and management of each diagnostic category of transfusion reaction using evidence-based recommendations whenever available.

Combination vincristine and plasma exchange as initial therapy in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: one institution's experience and review of the literature

BACKGROUND:  Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was once a highly fatal disease with mortality reaching nearly 95 percent; however, application of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has dramatically increased survival. Nevertheless, mortality remains substantial (10%‐30% in many published reports), requiring the search for more efficacious treatments. Vincristine (VCR) has been generally reserved for refractory TTP. Despite its effectiveness in a salvage mode, VCR has not been widely advocated as first‐line therapy in conjunction with TPE. We previously reported improved survival when VCR and TPE were administered at presentation in patients treated from 1979 to 1994. Utilizing this standardized approach, outcomes of an additional group of patients and the results of a literature review of VCR therapy for TTP are reported.

Nearly two decades using the check-type to prevent abo-incompatible transfusions : One institution's experience

To detect miscollected (wrong blood in tube [WBIT]) samples, our institution requires a second independently drawn sample (check-type [CT]) on previously untyped, non-group O patients who are likely to require transfusion. During the 17-year period addressed by this report, 94 WBIT errors were detected: 57% by comparison with a historic blood type, 7% by the CT, and 35% by other means. The CT averted 5 potential ABO-incompatible transfusions. Our corrected WBIT error rate is 1 in 3,713 for verified samples tested between 2000 and 2003, the period for which actual number of CTs performed was available. The estimated rate of WBIT for the 17-year period is 1 in 2,262 samples. ABO-incompatible transfusions due to WBIT-type errors are avoided by comparison of current blood type results with a historic type, and the CT is an effective way to create a historic type.

Moderate and severe adverse events associated with apheresis donations: incidences and risk factors

BACKGROUND: The goal of this observational retrospective study was to evaluate various donor and procedural variables as potential risk factors for different types of moderate to severe adverse events (AEs) during apheresis collections.

Low frequency of anti-D alloimmunization following D+ platelet transfusion: the Anti-D Alloimmunization after D-incompatible Platelet Transfusions (ADAPT) study.

The reported frequency of D alloimmunization in D− recipients after transfusion of D+ platelets varies. This study was designed to determine the frequency of D alloimmunization, previously reported to be an average of 5 ± 2%. A primary anti‐D immune response was defined as the detection of anti‐D ≥ 28 d following the first D+ platelet transfusion. Data were collected on 485 D− recipients of D+ platelets in 11 centres between 2010 and 2012. Their median age was 60 (range 2–100) years. Diagnoses included: haematological (203/485, 42%), oncological (64/485, 13%) and other diseases (218/485, 45%). Only 7/485 (1·44%; 95% CI 0·58–2·97%) recipients had a primary anti‐D response after a median serological follow‐up of 77 d (range: 28–2111). There were no statistically significant differences between the primary anti‐D formers and the other patients, in terms of gender, age, receipt of immunosuppressive therapy, proportion of patients with haematological/oncological diseases, transfusion of whole blood‐derived or apheresis platelets or both, and total number of transfused platelet products. This is the largest study with the longest follow‐up of D alloimmunization following D+ platelet transfusion. The low frequency of D alloimmunization should be considered when deciding whether to administer Rh Immune Globulin to D− males and D− females without childbearing potential after transfusion of D+ platelets.

Motivating factors and deterrents for blood donation among donors at a university campus–based collection center

BACKGROUND: Insight into motivating factors and barriers for blood donation, especially for young people and underrepresented minorities, is important to donor recruitment and retention. We surveyed donors at a new blood collection facility based on a large, ethnically diverse university campus.

Risk factors for acute, moderate to severe donor reactions associated with multicomponent apheresis collections.

BACKGROUND: Legitimate concerns exist over the safety of donors during multicomponent apheresis collections (MACs), when large volumes of red blood cells (RBCs) and plasma are removed. This study evaluates the predictive value of various donor‐ and procedure‐related variables for moderate to severe donor acute adverse events (AAEs).

A severe case of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with pneumococcal infection and T activation treated successfully with plasma exchange

BACKGROUND: A severe nondiarrheal form of hemolytic uremic syndrome in children is associated with pneumococcal infection (pHUS). Neuraminidase released by the pneumococci may cleave N‐acetylneuraminic acid residues on red blood cells (RBCs), leading to the exposure of the T cryptantigen and polyagglutinability of RBCs, a process known as T activation. Data suggest a pathogenic role of exposed T antigens on glomeruli interacting with naturally occurring anti‐T in the development of renal dysfunction in pHUS. By reducing the levels of anti‐T and neuraminidase, plasma exchange (PE) may have a role in the treatment of severe cases of pHUS.

Survival after ultramassive transfusion: a review of 1360 cases

Information about patient survival after transfusion of multiple blood volumes is limited, and most reports have focused on trauma patients.

ABO Blood Type-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation and Access to Organs

OBJECTIVE To determine whether ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation can be performed safely and result in acceptable posttransplantation outcomes. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING Transplantation center. PATIENTS In the 1½ years of a new program, 18 patients with renal failure and an ABOi living kidney donor were included in the study. All donors and recipients were of incompatible blood types and underwent transplantation beginning in June 2008. INTERVENTIONS Patients received immunomodulation (anti-CD20 antibody, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasmapheresis) until an acceptable isoagglutinin titer was obtained on the date of transplantation. All the kidneys were transplanted heterotopically, and all the patients received induction immunosuppression followed by a combination of prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. Isoagglutinin titers were monitored, and postoperative plasmapheresis was initiated if titers increased. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patient and allograft survival; length of stay; 1-, 3-, and 6-month and 1-year renal function; and incidence of rejection. RESULTS Patient survival was 100%, with allograft survival of 94.4%. Mean (SD) length of stay was 6.9 (1.9) days. Donor to recipient transplantation was A to O in 11 cases, A2 to B in 1, B to A in 3, B to O in 1, and AB to B in 2. Mean (SD) creatinine levels, a measure of graft function, were 1.2 (0.5) mg/dL at discharge, 1.4 (0.4) mg/dL at 1 month, 1.3 (0.45) mg/dL at 3 months, 1.1 (0.3) mg/dL at 6 months, and 1.2 (0.2) mg/dL at 1 year. One episode of cellular rejection occurred. CONCLUSIONS These short-term results suggest that with a straightforward regimen, ABOi kidney transplantation is possible, acceptable results and graft function are obtainable, and access to kidney transplantation for those with a blood type-incompatible donor can be expanded.