Yang Sun

Correlation between red blood cell transfusion volume and mortality in patients with massive blood transfusion: A large multicenter retrospective study

This study aimed to explore the correlation between red blood cell (RBC) transfusion volume and patient mortality in massive blood transfusion. A multicenter retrospective study was carried out on 1,601 surgical inpatients who received massive blood transfusion in 20 large comprehensive hospitals in China. According to RBC transfusion volume and duration, the patients were divided into groups as follows: 0–4, 5–9, 10–14, 15–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–39 and ≥40 units within 24 or 72 h. Mortality in patients with different RBC transfusion volumes was analyzed. It was found that patient mortality increased with the increase in the volume of RBC transfusion when the total RBC transfusion volume was ≥10 units within 24 or 72 h. Survival analysis revealed significant differences in mortality according to the RBC transfusion volume (χ2=72.857, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that RBC transfusion volume is an independent risk factor [odds ratio (OR) = 0.52; confidence interval (CI): 0.43–0.64; P<0.01] for the mortality of patients undergoing a massive blood transfusion. When RBCs were transfused at a volume of 5–9 units within 24 and 72 h, the mortality rate was the lowest, at 3.7 and 2.3% respectively. It is concluded that during massive blood transfusion in surgical inpatients, there is a correlation between RBC transfusion volume within 24 or 72 h and the mortality of the patients. Patient mortality increases with the increase in the volume of RBC transfusion. RBC transfusion volume, the length of stay at hospital and intensive care unit stay constitute the independent risk factors for patient mortality.

Correction of blood coagulation dysfunction and anemia by supplementation of red blood cell suspension, fresh frozen plasma, and apheresis platelet: results of in vitro hemodilution experiments.

PURPOSEnThis study aimed to determine the optimal composition and timing for the administration of blood supplements during in vivo blood transfusion with red blood cells suspension (pRBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and apheresis platelet (PLT) administered for the correction of anemia and coagulation dysfunction caused by in vitro hemodilution.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnWe collected blood samples from 24 healthy volunteers and prepared various dilutions of whole blood with normal saline: 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, 5:5, 4:6, 3:7, 2:8, and 1:9. The diluted blood samples were then supplemented with blood components at various proportions and then analyzed to determine the values of the routine blood indices, coagulation indices, and thromboelastogram measures.nnnRESULTSnAt hemodilutions of 40%, 50%, and 60%, the hemoglobin, coagulation indices, and platelet number and function reached critical levels, necessitating supplementation with pRBC, FFP, and PLT, respectively. When hemodilution was 90%, the supplementation required was approximately 1:1.3:0.9 of pRBC/FFP/PLT.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe use of pRBC, FFP, and PLT in appropriate proportions can correct the blood coagulation dysfunction and anemia caused by in vitro hemodilution, and these proportions can be used as guidelines for in vivo massive transfusion.

Hemostatic function of packed red blood cells: an in-vitro study.

Clinical observations suggest that red blood cells (RBCs) participate directly in hemostasis. We designed an in-vitro system aimed at evaluating the hemostatic function of RBCs. Blood samples were collected from 20 healthy volunteers and packed RBCs (PRBCs) were supplied by the Shaanxi Province Blood Center. We investigated the effect of RBCs and hemoglobin concentration on the hemostatic function in vitro by thromboelastography. The activation of platelets was evaluated by detecting their active markers through flow cytometry. PRBCs ameliorated the coagulation disorders induced by dilution of the blood in vitro. However, addition of hemoglobin did not increase the blood coagulation, as the level of hemoglobin was negatively correlated to the clot index. Furthermore, washing PRBCs to remove contaminating residual clotting factors and platelets excluded that the coagulation effect of the PRBCs transfusion was because of the RBCs itself. Platelet activity in PRBCs exposed to storage greater than 3 weeks was not significantly reduced consistent with it being a possible contributor. Therefore, we postulate that the suspected coagulation effects ascribed to the PRBCs at transfusion may simply be because of residual clotting factors and active platelets incompletely removed in the preparation of PRBCs rather than because of the red cell membrane or its contents.

Evaluation of the advantages of platelet concentrates stored at 4°C versus 22°C: PLT CONCENTRATES STORED AT 4°C

Platelet (PLT) storage at cold temperatures (4°C) can reduce bacterial contamination and lower the risk of transfusion‐related complications. We compared the effects of 22 and 4°C storage conditions for PLTs to further explore the efficiency of hemostasis in acute bleeding and extended PLT shelf life.

Coagulation defects associated with massive blood transfusion: A large multicenter study

The variations in the coagulation indices of patients receiving massive blood transfusion were investigated across 20 large-scale general hospitals in China. The data of 1,601 surgical inpatients receiving massive transfusion were retrospectively collected and the trends in the platelet counts and coagulation indices prior to and at 16 different time points during packed red blood cell (pRBC; after 2–40 units of pRBC) transfusion were evaluated by linear regression analysis. Temporal variations in the means of prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen (FIB) concentration were also assessed and the theoretical estimates and actual measurements of the platelet count were compared. The results demonstrated that the platelet count decreased linearly with an increase in the number of pRBC units transfused (Y=150.460−3.041X; R2 linear=0.775). Following transfusion of 18 units of pRBC (0.3 units of pRBC transfused per kilogram of body weight), the average platelet count decreased to 71×109/l (<75×109/l). Furthermore, variations in the means of PT, INR, APTT and FIB did not demonstrate any pronounced trends and actual platelet counts were markedly higher than the theoretical estimates. In conclusion, no variations in the means of traditional coagulation indices were identified, however, the platelet count demonstrated a significant linear decrease with an increase in the number of pRBC units transfused. Furthermore, actual platelet counts were higher than theoretical estimates, indicating the requirement for close monitoring of actual platelet counts during massive pRBC transfusion.

Investigation of the status quo of massive blood transfusion in China and a synopsis of the proposed guidelines for massive blood transfusion

Abstract The aim of this study was to provide an overview of massive transfusion in Chinese hospitals, identify the important indications for massive transfusion and corrective therapies based on clinical evidence and supporting experimental studies, and propose guidelines for the management of massive transfusion. This multiregion, multicenter retrospective study involved a Massive Blood Transfusion Coordination Group composed of 50 clinical experts specializing in blood transfusion, cardiac surgery, anesthesiology, obstetrics, general surgery, and medical statistics from 20 tertiary general hospitals across 5 regions in China. Data were collected for all patients who received ≥10 U red blood cell transfusion within 24u200ahours in the participating hospitals from January 1 2009 to December 31 2010, including patient demographics, pre-, peri-, and post-operative clinical characteristics, laboratory test results before, during, and after transfusion, and patient mortality at post-transfusion and discharge. We also designed an in vitro hemodilution model to investigate the changes of blood coagulation indices during massive transfusion and the correction of coagulopathy through supplement blood components under different hemodilutions. The experimental data in combination with the clinical evidence were used to determine the optimal proportion and timing for blood component supplementation during massive transfusion. Based on the findings from the present study, together with an extensive review of domestic and international transfusion-related literature and consensus feedback from the 50 experts, we drafted the guidelines on massive blood transfusion that will help Chinese hospitals to develop standardized protocols for massive blood transfusion.