Transfusion-associated circulatory overload and high blood pressure: A multicentre retrospective study in Japan.

Background: Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) is an adverse reaction associated with a high risk of mortality. The actual incidence of TACO and hypertension associated with transfusion in Japan is unknown.

Methods: A multicentre retrospective observational study was conducted across 23 institutions during the 1-year period of 2016.

Differences among hemoglobin thresholds for red blood cell transfusions in patients with hematological diseases in teaching hospitals: a real world data in Japan.

A hemoglobin (Hb) threshold level of 7 g/dL has been proposed for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in patients with chronic anemia in the Japanese guideline since 2005. However, Hb thresholds for hematological diseases in clinical practice and factors responsible for higher Hb thresholds remain unclear. Hb thresholds were collected for patients with hematological diseases from 32 Japanese teaching hospitals.

Clinical significance of autologous blood transfusions in bone marrow harvest from unrelated donors.

In the Japan Marrow Donor Program (JMDP), autologous blood is collected from most unrelated bone marrow (BM) donors. We retrospectively evaluated 5772 donors who underwent BM harvest between 2010 and 2015 through the JMDP. Autologous blood was collected in 96.

Released washed platelet concentrates are effective and safe in patients with a history of transfusion reactions.

Background: Plasma removal by washing is an effective approach to prevent transfusion reactions by platelet concentrates (PCs). Recently, washed PCs were released by the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective multicenter study evaluated the efficacy and safety of released washed PCs (RWPCs) between September 2016 and January 2017 in Japan.

A national survey of premedication for transfusion reactions in Japan.

Background: Premedication before transfusion is commonly administered in clinical practice despite a lack of evidence for its efficacy. The aim of this study was to clarify the status of premedication and evaluate expert opinions regarding its use in Japanese medical institutions.

Method: Between May and July 2016, we conducted a questionnaire survey on premedication before transfusion in 252 medical institutes that were certified by an academic society or employed transfusion experts.

[Cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia complicated with relapsed myelodysplastic syndrome after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation].

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is known to often be complicated by a range of autoimmune diseases. We herein present a case with MDS complicated by cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia (cold AIHA). The patient was a 51-year-old woman.

[Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with hemolytic crisis developed twenty years after the onset of Evans syndrome].

A 65-year-old woman was diagnosed with Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) in May 1992. One month later, her PRCA went into remission following treatment but she developed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and was diagnosed with Evans syndrome. Although her condition resolved with administration of prednisolone and azathioprine, it was necessary to continue treatment with gradual tapering over the following two decades.

Association of HLA alleles with response (especially biochemical response) to interferon therapy in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C.

The response of chronic hepatitis C to interferon (IFN) treatment is classified as complete response (CR), biochemical response (BR), or no response (NR). Several studies have found no difference in prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma by IFN therapy between patients with CR and those with BR. We investigated whether specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles were associated with response to IFN, especially BR, in 138 patients with chronic hepatitis C.

[Roles of molecular analysis in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

Recent advances in molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) have taken a prominent position an essential part in regeneration medicine. In hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, HLA(human leukocyte antigen) typing, assessment of graft viability/rejection (chimerism analysis), and evaluation of minimal residual disease are significant for treatment strategy. Molecular analysis will play a more important role in the diversification of transplantation methods in the future of tailor-made medicines.