Donor pregnancies and transfusion recipient mortality: A role for red blood cell storage?

Background And Objectives: Donor characteristics have been implicated in transfusion-related adverse events. Uncertainty remains about whether sex, and specifically pregnancy history of the blood donor, could affect patient outcomes. Whether storage duration of the blood product could be important for patient outcomes has also been investigated, and a small detrimental effect of fresh products remains a possibility.

Efficacy and safety of platelet additive solution-E stored platelet concentrates.

Introduction: In 2018, platelet (PLT) additive solution-E (PAS-E) was introduced. The implementation of PAS-E was expected to diminish the number of allergic reactions in recipients following a PLT transfusion. Here, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of transfusions with PLTs stored in PAS-E.

The haemostatic effect of deep-frozen platelets versus room temperature-stored platelets in the treatment of surgical bleeding: MAFOD-study protocol for a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial.

Background: The Netherlands Armed Forces have been successfully using deep-frozen (- 80 °C) thrombocyte concentrate (DTC) for the treatment of (massive) bleeding trauma patients in austere environments since 2001. However, high-quality evidence for the effectiveness and safety of DTCs is currently lacking. Therefore, the MAssive transfusion of Frozen bloOD (MAFOD) trial is designed to compare the haemostatic effect of DTCs versus room temperature-stored platelets (RSP) in the treatment of surgical bleeding.

Immunoassay for quantification of antigen-specific IgG fucosylation.

Background: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies serve a crucial immuno-protective function mediated by IgG Fc receptors (FcγR). Absence of fucose on the highly conserved N-linked glycan in the IgG Fc domain strongly enhances IgG binding and activation of myeloid and natural killer (NK) cell FcγRs. Although afucosylated IgG can provide increased protection (malaria and HIV), it also boosts immunopathologies in alloimmune diseases, COVID-19 and dengue fever.

Associations Between Symptoms, Donor Characteristics and IgG Antibody Response in 2082 COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Donors.

Many studies already reported on the association between patient characteristics on the severity of COVID-19 disease outcome, but the relation with SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels is less clear. To investigate this in more detail, we performed a retrospective observational study in which we used the IgG antibody response from 11,118 longitudinal antibody measurements of 2,082 unique COVID convalescent plasma donors. COVID-19 symptoms and donor characteristics were obtained by a questionnaire.

Dynamics of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in convalescent plasma donors.

Objectives: Characterisation of the human antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection is vital for serosurveillance purposes and for treatment options such as transfusion with convalescent plasma or immunoglobulin products derived from convalescent plasma. In this study, we longitudinally and quantitatively analysed antibody responses in RT-PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 convalescent adults during the first 250 days after onset of symptoms.

Methods: We measured antibody responses to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the nucleocapsid protein in 844 longitudinal samples from 151 RT-PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 convalescent adults.

Pediatric resident knowledge of transfusion medicine: Results from the BEST-TEST3 international education needs assessment.

Background: Transfusions are a common intervention within pediatrics and require unique considerations to optimize patient care. Poor knowledge of evidence-based transfusion practice can lead to misuse of transfusion therapy and harm. While there have been assessments of transfusion medicine knowledge of physicians caring for adult patients, there is little data regarding pediatricians.

Association of Timing of Plasma Transfusion With Adverse Maternal Outcomes in Women With Persistent Postpartum Hemorrhage.

Importance: Early plasma transfusion for women with severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is recommended to prevent coagulopathy. However, there is no comparative, quantitative evidence on the association of early plasma transfusion with maternal outcomes.

Objective: To compare the incidence of adverse maternal outcomes among women who received plasma during the first 60 minutes of persistent PPH vs women who did not receive plasma for similarly severe persistent PPH.

HLA-matched platelet transfusions are effective only in refractory patients with positive HLA antibody screening.

Background: Recipients of platelet transfusions with 1-hour corrected count increments (1hCCIs) of 7.5 or less on two subsequent platelet transfusions with random platelets may benefit from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched platelet concentrates. We aimed to quantify the efficacy of HLA-matched platelets concentrates expressed in 1hCCIs.

Exposure to non-inherited maternal antigens by breastfeeding affects antibody responsiveness.

The observation, by Ray Owen and colleagues in 1954, that D-negative women were less likely to form anti-D antibodies against their D-positive fetus if their mother possessed the D-antigen, was not found in all later studies. We hypothesized that breastfeeding, received by the mother, may affect her immunity against non-inherited maternal red blood cell antigens. We studied a cohort of 125 grandmother-mother-child combinations, from a follow-up study of mothers after intrauterine transfusion of the fetus for alloimmune hemolytic disease.

Consensus Recommendations for RBC Transfusion Practice in Critically Ill Children From the Pediatric Critical Care Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative.

Objectives: To date, there are no published guidelines to direct RBC transfusion decision-making specifically for critically ill children. We present the recommendations from the Pediatric Critical Care Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative.

Design: Consensus conference series of multidisciplinary, international experts in RBC transfusion management of critically ill children.

Recommendations on Selection and Processing of RBC Components for Pediatric Patients From the Pediatric Critical Care Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative.

Objectives: To present the recommendations and supporting literature for selection and processing of RBC products in critically ill children developed by the Pediatric Critical Care Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative.

Design: Consensus conference series of international, multidisciplinary experts in RBC transfusion management of critically ill children METHODS:: The panel of 38 experts developed evidence-based, and when evidence was lacking, expert-based clinical recommendations as well as research priorities for RBC transfusions in critically ill children. The RBC processing subgroup included five experts.

An international investigation into O red blood cell unit administration in hospitals: the GRoup O Utilization Patterns (GROUP) study.

Background: Transfusion of group O blood to non-O recipients, or transfusion of D- blood to D+ recipients, can result in shortages of group O or D- blood, respectively. This study investigated RBC utilization patterns at hospitals around the world and explored the context and policies that guide ABO blood group and D type selection practices.

Study Design And Methods: This was a retrospective study on transfusion data from the 2013 calendar year.

Trends in age and red blood cell donation habits among several racial/ethnic minority groups in the United States.

Background: To meet the needs of a diverse patient population, an adequate supply of red blood cells (RBCs) from ethnic/racial minority donors is essential. We previously described the 10-year changes in minority blood donation in the United States. This study describes donation patterns by donor status, age, and race/ethnicity.

Blood Group Antigen Matching Influence on Gestational Outcomes (AMIGO) study.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) antigen matching policies to prevent alloimmunization in females of childbearing potential (FCP) vary between centers. To inform transfusion centers responsible for making decisions about matching policies for FCPs, the causal stimulus of the antibodies implicated in severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) must be determined.

Study Design And Methods: We conducted a multinational retrospective study of women with offspring affected by severe HDFN requiring neonatal exchange transfusion and/or intrauterine transfusion.

The HLA-DRB1*15 phenotype is associated with multiple red blood cell and HLA antibody responsiveness.

Background: Once a patient has produced a red blood cell (RBC) antibody, there is an increased risk of additional antibody formation after subsequent RBC exposure. Recently, we observed that HLA-DRB1*15 was overrepresented in 379 multiple RBC antibody responders compared to controls or 562 patients with a single RBC antibody (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.

Transfusion reactions: prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Blood transfusion is one of the most common procedures in patients in hospital so it is imperative that clinicians are knowledgeable about appropriate blood product administration, as well as the signs, symptoms, and management of transfusion reactions. In this Review, we, an international panel, provide a synopsis of the pathophysiology, treatment, and management of each diagnostic category of transfusion reaction using evidence-based recommendations whenever available.

Intraoperative Anemia and Single Red Blood Cell Transfusion During Cardiac Surgery: An Assessment of Postoperative Outcome Including Patients Refusing Blood Transfusion.

Objectives: Increasing evidence suggests benefits from restrictive red blood cell transfusion (RBC) thresholds in major surgery and critically ill patients. However, these benefits are not obvious in cardiac surgery patients with intraoperative anemia. The authors examined the association between uncorrected hemoglobin (Hb) levels and selected postoperative outcomes as well as the effects of RBCs.

Extended matched intrauterine transfusions reduce maternal Duffy, Kidd, and S antibody formation.

Background: Severe alloimmune hemolytic disease of the fetus is treated with intrauterine transfusions (IUTs). Despite C, c, E, e, and K matching between mother and donor, IUT results in new antibodies in approximately 25% of women. Newly formed Fy(a), Fy(b), Jk(a), Jk(b), and S antibodies are in 83% presumably induced by the IUT donor.

Introduction of universal prestorage leukodepletion of blood components, and outcomes in transfused cardiac surgery patients.

Objective: To assess whether introduction of universal leukodepletion (ULD) of red blood cells (RBCs) for transfusion was associated with improvements in cardiac surgery patient outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective study (2005-2010) conducted at 6 institutions. Associations between leukodepletion and outcomes of mortality, infection, and acute kidney injury (AKI) were modeled by logistic regression, and intensive care unit length of stay (LOS) in survivors was explored using linear regression.

Age of transfused blood in critically ill adults.

Background: Fresh red cells may improve outcomes in critically ill patients by enhancing oxygen delivery while minimizing the risks of toxic effects from cellular changes and the accumulation of bioactive materials in blood components during prolonged storage.

Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, blinded trial, we assigned critically ill adults to receive either red cells that had been stored for less than 8 days or standard-issue red cells (the oldest compatible units available in the blood bank). The primary outcome measure was 90-day mortality.

Anti-K formation is not associated with the storage time of transfused red blood cells.

Background: The formation of red blood cell (RBC) antibodies could be enhanced by the presence of inflammation caused by prolonged RBC storage, as was shown in animal studies. The low occurrence (<10%) of K-antigen in most populations often enables identification of the K+ RBC unit that triggered anti-K formation and determination of its storage time. This study aims to quantify the association of anti-K formation with RBC storage time.