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Blood Transfusions: Risks and Outcomes

Release Date: September 30, 2006

Expiration Date: September 30, 2007

Estimated time to complete this Activity: 45 minutes

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Overview

One of the main goals of transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) is to increase oxygen-carrying capacity and thereby improve outcome or prevent adverse outcomes. As such, transfusions of RBCs and other blood components are among the most widely used and accepted medical interventions, although few prospective randomized trials have studied the efficacy of transfusion. Ongoing research is examining the association between transfusion and outcomes. In particular, issues such as establishing transfusion triggers and weighing the benefits and risks of transfusion are gaining increasing attention. The most frequently reported transfusions risks include pathogen transmission, ABO-Rh mismatch, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), and graft-versus-host disease. In addition, adverse consequences associated with transfusion of banked blood, such as diminished effectiveness with increasing age of RBCs and posttransfusion survival of RBCs in the microcirculation, are being appreciated. This slide presentation will review the risks of blood transfusions, including pathogen transmission, infection, and immunosuppression, as well as the proinflammatory and prothrombotic effects of platelet transfusions. The benefits and disadvantages of universal leukoreduction will be addressed.

Target Audience

Blood Transfusion: Risks and Outcomes is intended to provide transfusion specialists, hematologists, and other healthcare professionals with an overview of the published literature concerning the risks and outcomes associated with transfusions and universal leukoreduction.

Learning Objectives

After completing this continuing medical education (CME) activity, participants should be able to:

• Review the findings of prospective randomized trials examining the association between transfusion and outcomes
• List four major risks associated with transfusions
• Review the clinical manifestations of transfusion-related acute lung injury
• Describe the effects of storage on blood products
• Evaluate the role of leukoreduction

Accreditation Statement

This activity has expired.

Designation Statement

This activity has expired.

How to Get Credit

This activity has expired.

Faculty Disclosure

It is the policy of the FCG Institute for Continuing Education that all faculty participating in continuing medical education activities are expected to disclose to the program audience (1) any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest related to the content of their presentation and (2) discussion of unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or medical devices. Faculty disclosure statements can be found with their biographical sketches.

Conflict of Interest Resolution

When individuals in a position to control or influence the development of the content have reported Financial Relationships with one or more commercial interests, The FCG Institute for Continuing Education utilizes a process to identify and resolve potential conflicts to ensure that the content presented is free of commercial bias. The content of this presentation was vetted through The Institute’s process of peer review and content validation and modified as required to meet this standard.

Notice About Investigational or Off-Label Use

This educational activity may include discussion of drugs or devices or uses of drugs and devices, that have not been approved by the FDA or have been approved by the FDA for specific uses only. It is the responsibility of the physician to determine the FDA clearance status of each drug or device he or she wishes to use in clinical practice. The FCG Institute for Continuing Education is committed to the free exchange of medical education. Inclusion of any product or device discussion, including discussion of investigational or off-label uses, does not imply endorsement by The Institute of the uses, products, or techniques presented.

Disclaimer

This CME/CE activity is designed for use by healthcare professionals for educational purposes only. The information and opinions expressed by the faculty are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The FCG Institute. The FCG Institute for Continuing Education does not define a standard of care, nor does it intend to dictate an exclusive course of management but presents through the educational activities it sponsors recognized methods and techniques of clinical practice for consideration by physicians and other healthcare providers for incorporation into their practices. Participants should use their own clinical judgment before applying information, whether provided here or by others, for any professional use.

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Sponsored by: The FCG Institute for Continuing Education

The FCG Institute for Continuing Education
gratefully acknowledges an educational grant from
Novo Nordisk Inc. in support of this Web Site