Vitamin K antagonist reversal strategies: Systematic review and network meta-analysis from the AABB.

Background: Anticoagulation requires urgent reversal in cases of life-threatening bleeding or invasive procedures.

Study Design And Methods: Network meta-analysis for comparing the safety and efficacy of warfarin reversal strategies including plasma and prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs).

Results: Seven studies including 594 subjects using reversal agents plasma, 3-factor-PCC (Uman Complex and Konyne), and 4-factor-PCC (Beriplex/KCentra, Octaplex, and Cofact) met inclusion criteria.

Current advances in transfusion medicine: a 2019 review of selected topics from the AABB Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee.

Background: The AABB Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee (CTMC) compiles an annual synopsis of the published literature covering important developments in the field of transfusion medicine (TM) for the board of director's review. This synopsis is now made available as a manuscript published in TRANSFUSION.

Study Design And Methods: CTMC committee members review original manuscripts including TM-related topics published in different journals between late 2018 and 2019.

Critical developments of 2018: A review of the literature from selected topics in transfusion. A committee report from the AABB's Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee.

Background: The AABB compiles an annual synopsis of the published literature covering important developments in the field of transfusion medicine. An abridged version of this work is being made available in TRANSFUSION, with the full-length report available as Appendix S1 (available as supporting information in the online version of this paper).

Study Design And Methods: Papers published in late 2017 and 2018 are included, as well as earlier papers cited for background.

Critical developments of 2017: a review of the literature from selected topics in transfusion. A committee report from the AABB Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee.

Background: The AABB compiles an annual synopsis of the published literature covering important developments in the field of Transfusion Medicine. For the first time, an abridged version of this work is being made available in TRANSFUSION, with the full-length report available as an Appendix S1 (available as supporting information in the online version of this paper).

Study Design And Methods: Papers published in 2016 and early 2017 are included, as well as earlier papers cited for background.

Polycythemia in an infant secondary to granulocyte transfusions.

Granulocyte transfusions may be useful for neutropenic pediatric patients with refractory bacterial or fungal infections. Many potential adverse sequelae associated with granulocyte transfusions are well recognized, including febrile reactions, fluid overload, alloimmunization, and lung injury. Other potential adverse sequelae, however, are less well known.

A severe case of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with pneumococcal infection and T activation treated successfully with plasma exchange.

Background: A severe nondiarrheal form of hemolytic uremic syndrome in children is associated with pneumococcal infection (pHUS). Neuraminidase released by the pneumococci may cleave N-acetylneuraminic acid residues on red blood cells (RBCs), leading to the exposure of the T cryptantigen and polyagglutinability of RBCs, a process known as T activation. Data suggest a pathogenic role of exposed T antigens on glomeruli interacting with naturally occurring anti-T in the development of renal dysfunction in pHUS.

Platelet transfusions in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a report of four cases and review of the literature.

Background: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a complication of heparin therapy associated with thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. The diagnosis of HIT is based on clinical criteria and laboratory tests, including the serotonin release assay (SRA). Because HIT patients are thrombocytopenic, platelet (PLT) transfusions may be contemplated; however, many published reviews have concluded that PLT transfusions are contraindicated in HIT because they may precipitate thrombotic events.