Definition
Blood transfusion is the transfer of blood from one person (donor) into another person’s blood vessels (recipient). This is usually done as a life-saving maneuver to replace blood lost due to heavy bleeding, during surgery when blood loss or to increase the amount of blood in anemic patients. Blood consists of blood cells and blood plasma. Blood cells consist of red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leucocytes) and platelets, whereas the blood plasma contains water, protein, glucose, minerals, fibrinogen and clotting factors which consists of clotting factors I-XIII. In the erythrocytes contained hemoglobin molecule which is very important. Hemoglobin is useful to “bind” oxygen in the lungs and “release” of oxygen to the organs that need it. It can be said , the blood is an important component in the body. Through blood, oxygen will be transported to all organs of the body, especially the vital organs to function to keep going. Therefore blood transfusion procedure is an act that is very important to one’s survival.
Blood Component Transfusion
Whole blood
Whole blood (complete blood count) is usually provided only for transfusion in massive bleeding. Whole blood used to be given to acute hemorrhage, hypovolemic shock and major surgery with bleeding> 1500 ml. Whole blood will increase oxygen transport capacity and increased blood volume. One unit of whole blood transfusion will increase the hemoglobin 1 g / dl.
Packed Red Blood Cell (PRBC)
PRBC containing the same hemoglobin as whole blood, the difference is the amount of plasma, which contains fewer PRBC plasma. This causes higher levels of hematocrit PRBC compared with whole blood, ie 70% compared to 40%. PRBC usually given to patients with slow bleeding, anemia or patients with cardiac abnormality. When about to be used, PRBC need to be warmed equal to body temperature (37 º C). if not warmed, it will complicate the transfer of oxygen from blood to organs.
Fresh Frozen Plasma
Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) contains all plasma proteins (clotting factors), especially factors V and VII. FFP usually given after massive blood transfusion, and coagulopathy after warfarin therapy in liver disease. Each unit of FFP usually can raise each clotting factor levels of 2-3% in adults. Same with PRBC, when about to be given to patients need warmed subject’s body temperature.
Platelets
Platelet transfusion is indicated in patients with severe thrombocytopenia (<20,000 / mm3) along with clinical symptoms of bleeding. When, however, found no clinical symptoms of bleeding, platelet transfusion is not needed. One unit of platelets to increase 7000-10000 trombosit/mm3 after 1 hour transfusion in patients with body weight 70 kg. many factors that play a role in the success of platelet transfusion include splenomegaly, previous sensitization, fever, and active bleeding.
Cryoprecipitate
Cryoprecipitate contain factor VIII and fibrinogen in large quantities. Cryoprecipitate disease is indicated in patients with hemophilia (factor VIII deficiency) and also in patients with fibrinogen deficiency.
Complications of Blood Transfusion and Handling
Hemolytic reaction
The reaction is usually the donor red blood cell destruction by antibody recipients and usually occurs due to incompatibility ABO blood type that can be caused by faulty patient identification, blood type or unit transfusion. In the conscious, the symptoms experienced in the form of chills, fever, chest pain and nausea. In the unconscious or sedated, the symptoms include increased body temperature, heart palpitations, low blood pressure and hemoglobinuria. Severity of symptoms depends on how much incompatible transfused blood is .
Non-hemolytic reaction
This reaction occurs because the recipient sensitization against white blood cells, platelets or plasma proteins from the donor. Symptoms include fever, urticaria which is characterized by redness, red spots and itching without fever, anaphylactic reaction, pulmonary edema, hyperkalemia and acidosis.
Infection
The risk of infectious disease transmission through blood transfusion depends on many things, among others, the incidence of disease in the community, the effectiveness of screening is done, recipient immune system and the number of donors per unit of blood. Some common infections are viral hepatitis, HIV, Citomegalovirus, Staphylococcal bacteria, yesteria and malaria parasites.
Treating complications of transfusion:
1. Stop transfusion
2. Rev the blood pressure with intravenous fluids, if necessary add drugs.
3. Give 100% oxygen
4. Giving diuretics mannitol or furosemide drugs
5. Antihistamine drugs
6. Giving high dose steroids drugs
7. Check for gas analysis and blood pH.