
Defining the clinical need for rare red blood cells
Author(s) -
Yahalom V.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
isbt science series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1751-2824
pISSN - 1751-2816
DOI - 10.1111/voxs.12005
Subject(s) - medicine , intensive care medicine , red blood cell , antibody , blood transfusion , red blood cell transfusion , clinical trial , immunology
Transfusion support of patients with antibodies against high frequency ( HF ) antigens or a combination of antibodies that is rare is challenging and requires multidisciplinary cooperation. The treating physician should decide if there is a definitive clinical need for red blood cell ( RBC ) transfusion for the specific patient. According to recent clinical trials RBC transfusion is usually not indicated if the patient is haemodynamically stable and the haemoglobin (Hb) is higher than 7 g/dl. Alternative strategies for patient support might be required if rare blood is unavailable or while awaiting rare RBC unit arrival from national or international sources.