The gel test: use in the identification of unexpected antibodies to blood group antigens.

The IgG GEL test was compared with the LISS tube test (Löw and Messeter's low-ionic-strength saline) for antibody identification. The suitability of red blood cells (RBCs) pretreated with ficin, dithiothreitol (DTT), or chloroquine diphosphate (CDP) also was assessed for use in the GEL test. In addition, time-in-motion studies were performed comparing GEL (12 panels per batch) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) tube tests (3 panels per batch).

Revisiting the issue: can the reading for serologic reactivity following 37 degrees C incubation be omitted?

Background: Omitting the 37 degrees C reading from screening tests for unexpected antibodies results in failure to detect some Rh, K, and Jk agglutinins of potential significance (wanted positives). However, this measure avoids unwanted positive tests due to cold agglutinins.

Study Design And Methods: Using data from prior publications, actual risk calculations (ARCs) were made to predict the risk of eliminating the 37 degrees C reading, pretransfusion direct antiglobulin test (DAT), and routine indirect antiglobulin crossmatch (IAT-XM).

The gel test: sensitivity and specificity for unexpected antibodies to blood group antigens.

The recently FDA-licensed anti-IgG gel test for pretransfusion antibody detection requires crossover validation before implementation. Six hundred coded samples sent for routine pretransfusion tests were used to compare GEL (ID-MTS, Ortho Diagnostic Systems Inc., Raritan, NJ) with Löw and Messeter's low-ionic-strength saline (LISS).

Blood utilization in adult patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenated therapy.

Background: The impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), performed on adult patients, on the blood transfusion service of a tertiary-care hospital was assessed. The quantity and pattern of blood component utilization by these patients were compared to those in a previous evaluation of neonatal patients receiving similar treatment.

Study Design And Methods: The records of blood component transfusion to 74 adult patients, treated with ECMO within a 6-year period, were reviewed.

Blood use during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

An analysis of the transfusion records of 91 neonatal patients subjected to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is reported. Mean daily blood usage was 250 mL of red cells (RBCs), 80 mL of fresh-frozen plasma, and 2 units of platelets. Average time on ECMO was 4.