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A transfusion is a procedure that involves the transfusion of blood or blood components. The purpose of the transfusion is to replace the lost blood components.
What is a blood transfusion?
During blood transfusion you are given blood or blood components from other people, or your own blood. In the first case transfusion is called homologous blood transfusion, in the other – autologous blood transfusion.
The blood that is transfused to the patient (unless it is his own blood) must be thoroughly tested for infectious diseases and the purity, as well as the compatibility of the donor and recipient blood groups. A compliance test involves quickly transfusing a small amount of blood or blood product, then slowing the flow for approximately 30 minutes. When testing for compliance, the patient’s condition should be carefully monitored. The donor and recipient blood match is valid for 48 hours.
Method of blood transfusion depends on how much and under what circumstances her patient lost. If a sick person has lost a lot of blood, a so-called is needed massive transfusion. For this purpose, a catheter is inserted into the peripheral vein of the recipient. This method is also used when blood transfusion for several days is necessary.
In other cases, the blood is infused into the vein in the hand by an intravenous infusion. For this purpose, a cannula connected with a medical tubing to a bag filled with blood is inserted into the vein in the hand.
If the patient only needs specific blood components, they can be given as a single intravenous injection.
During blood transfusion surgery the patient’s condition should be monitored all the time.
When is a blood transfusion performed?
Blood transfusion performed only in justified cases and on the recommendation of a doctor.
Blood transfusion surgery it is most often performed during an operation when the patient is losing a lot of blood. Transfusion it is also often necessary after accidents. Also, anemia (anemia) and acquired and congenital bleeding disorders are indications for blood transfusions.
Some people have a deficiency or loss of only one blood component, such as platelets or plasma. It is also advisable in this case Blood transfusion, but it consists in giving only the missing ingredient.
What are the results of a blood transfusion and how long does the procedure take?
The time it takes to complete blood transfusion depends on the case. In some patients it is necessary Blood transfusion lasting for several days. As a rule, however, it is fully reconstitutive Blood transfusion (KPR) and administration of concentrated red blood cells (RBC) takes about 4 hours. Platelets are transfused for 20-30 minutes, and plasma – for 30 to 60 minutes.
Is blood transfusion safe?
Blood transfusion it is always associated with risk. The first group of complications after blood transfusion is associated with the incompatibility of donor and recipient blood groups.
Blood group 0 can be given to any recipient, regardless of his blood group – group 0 does not have A and B antigens, so a person with such a blood group is a universal donor.
A person with AB blood group is a universal recipient – he can get any blood type.
A person with blood type A can get blood 0 or A, while a person with blood type B should receive blood 0 or B.
Rh compliance is less important but should be taken into account.
If antibodies to the donor’s antigens are present in the recipient’s blood (this is the case, for example, when giving the recipient blood group A to blood group B), complications arise after blood transfusion – donor blood cells are destroyed by the recipient’s organism.
Complications after blood transfusion there are early complications (occurring up to 24 hours after blood transfusion) and late complications (occurring between 3 and 21 days after blood transfusion). Complications after a blood transfusion can be mild, moderate or severe – the latter usually occurring already in the process transfusion.
For early complications blood transfusion mild allergies include allergies to plasma proteins or ingredients added to blood products that prevent blood transfusion from clotting, and urticaria.
Moderate complications of early blood transfusion include bacterial infection and feverish non-haemolytic reaction due to the presence of antibodies to white blood cell or platelet antigens.
Severe complications blood transfusion is hyperkalimia caused by too much potassium in the stored preparation, hypocalcaemia that occurs with massive blood transfusion – calcium stores in the bones are not activated in time and the work of the heart and the coagulation system are disturbed. Severe complications also include circulatory overload, septic shock, anaphylactic shock, acute respiratory failure, and blood clots and embolism.
For late complications after blood transfusion includes HIV and hepatitis B and C infections, malaria, syphilis and CMV, which may be in poorly tested blood products. Iron overload and delayed hemolytic reaction may also occur.