Articles tagged with Blood Transfusion
PCORI awards funding for new patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research, addressing key healthcare questions and generating evidence for better-informed decisions. The projects will focus on emergency, hospital, and surgical care, as well as mental and behavioral health, to improve health outcomes.
Researchers at Dartmouth Health identified a higher risk of severe reactions in patients with alpha-gal syndrome when receiving blood plasma or platelet transfusions, particularly from type O donors. The study suggests that pre-existing antibodies to alpha-gal from tick bites may be a contributing factor.
Researchers review evidence on potential transmission of amyloid-beta and CAA through blood transfusions, citing a 2023 study that found recipients of contaminated blood had a higher risk of brain bleeds. The authors argue for additional safety measures, citing a cautionary tale from the Infected Blood Inquiry.
A landmark trial found that tranexamic acid reduces bleeding and blood transfusion without increasing clot risk. The study supports using the inexpensive drug in all major surgeries with high blood loss risk, potentially saving millions of red blood cells annually.
A new study by the University of Southampton has found that reusable catheters are just as safe for patients as single-use ones and do not increase the risk of urinary tract infections. The study followed hundreds of patients for a year and discovered that those who tested reusable catheters used 35 per cent fewer antibiotics.
The oXiris membrane addresses complex sepsis by integrating diffusion, convection, and adsorptive properties to remove inflammatory mediators. Early physiological improvements and potential benefits for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury and severe COVID-19 have been reported in observational studies.
A multicenter study found that red blood cell exchange transfusion significantly improves clinical outcomes for patients hospitalized with severe babesiosis, a potentially life-threatening tick-borne infection. The procedure was associated with substantially lower risk of in-hospital death or readmission.
The GOAL-Trauma study found significant variation in blood transfusion strategies for patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery following trauma, with higher-resource settings using component therapy and lower-resource settings relying on whole blood transfusions.
A new study reveals that factors present in aged blood can accelerate the accumulation of amyloid proteins and influence behavior in an experimental mouse model of Alzheimer's. The study found more than 250 differentially expressed proteins linked to synaptic functions, endocannabinoid signaling, and calcium channels.
A study of 8,273 patients found that tranexamic acid significantly reduced the need for blood transfusions and did not increase the risk of blood clots. The medication promotes blood clotting, essential to stop bleeding during surgery, without increasing life-threatening complications.
Researchers found that an earlier blood transfusion may reduce the risk of heart failure and irregular heartbeat in adults with heart disease. The study suggests that waiting until hemoglobin levels are low before transfusing blood may not be the best strategy for high-risk patients.
A comprehensive review highlights VET's potential to prevent postpartum hemorrhage and reduce maternal mortality. High-quality research on its use is limited, and a large-scale US-based study is needed to test its effectiveness.
Scientists develop a revolutionary 'blood on demand' technology that can preserve red blood cells for extended periods, reducing thawing and washing times. This innovation has the potential to transform emergency medicine and provide a reliable blood supply in crisis situations.
A University of Oklahoma study found that acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) lowered the likelihood of a transfusion by 27%, reducing blood use and costs. The technique preserved platelet functionality, allowing patients to recover more effectively after surgery.
The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) has updated its transfusion standards to recommend giving more-frequent blood transfusions to patients suffering from myocardial infarction, particularly those with low hemoglobin levels. This new guideline aims to prevent recurrent heart attacks and deaths among anemic patients.
Researchers identified a distinctive CT imaging pattern called PRACE that predicts severe postpartum hemorrhage cases requiring emergency procedures. The finding was strongly associated with the need for uterine artery embolization and improved maternal outcomes.
A new treatment approach using cyclophosphamide has been found to prevent most graft-versus-host disease in mismatched transplants. The study shows that 80% of patients are alive after a year, similar to outcomes seen in fully matched transplants.
A new study published in Transfusion journal reveals sex-based disparities in the transfusion of whole blood to traumatically injured patients. Women, particularly younger females and those of childbearing potential, are less likely to receive whole blood transfusions compared to men. This disparity is despite whole blood being associa...
Researchers found that giving plasma, rather than whole blood, improves outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or shock. Plasma recipients had distinct proteomic profiles associated with later stages of clot formation, neuron survival, and wound repair.
A recent study investigated hybrid diffuse optics to monitor changes in blood flow and oxygen levels noninvasively. The technology provided detailed insights into how oxygen is delivered and utilized in the body, suggesting improved outcomes for critically ill patients undergoing red blood cell transfusions.
A groundbreaking AI model developed by researchers at Emory University accurately predicts the likelihood of blood transfusion in non-traumatic ICU patients, addressing longstanding challenges in predicting transfusion needs. The model achieved exceptional performance metrics, including an AUROC of 0.97 and an accuracy rate of 0.93.
A large trial has found no major difference in clinical outcomes between restrictive and liberal blood transfusion strategies for critically ill patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The study suggests that integrating these results with other research can provide a deeper understanding of the optimal threshold.
A large clinical trial found that removing 10% of a patient's blood before major liver surgery reduces the need for transfusions by half. This practice, known as hypovolemic phlebotomy, lowers blood pressure in the liver and is safe, simple, and inexpensive.
The University of Pittsburgh has been awarded a 10-year, $100 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to continue its Linking Investigations in Trauma and Emergency Services (LITES) Network. The network will fund new research on trauma care and expand ongoing studies.
Octapharma USA, a US Army Medical Materiel Development Activity commercial partner, has received FDA emergency use authorization for octaplasLG Powder, a potentially lifesaving treatment option for blood replacement therapies in certain operational circumstances. The EUA authorizes military medical commands to procuring and administeri...
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have conducted a Phase 2 UNITY clinical trial involving pregnant women with a history of very severe HDFN. Nipocalimab was found to prevent and mitigate the disease without causing serious side effects in the mother or fetus.
Researchers found a 37% reduction in mortality and a 24% reduction in medical complications among study participants who received iron infusions. The findings suggest that preoperative iron infusions may be a more effective strategy for reducing morbidity and mortality in surgical patients.
A new study found that a liberal blood transfusion strategy may improve outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury, leading to better functional independence and quality of life. Six months after the injury, patients who received more frequent blood transfusions showed higher levels of recovery and improved quality of life compa...
Malaria parasite can be transmitted through blood donations, organ transplants, and needle sharing. Dr. Sophie Le Cam highlights the need for more sensitive testing methods to detect asymptomatic infections in donors from malaria-endemic countries.
A recent study by Japanese researchers found that donor diets can trigger allergic reactions in blood recipients, particularly in children with food allergies. The study suggests that preventive measures and countermeasures for allergic transfusion reactions could be developed to improve the safety of blood transfusions.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine found that early whole blood transfusions improve survival in severely bleeding trauma patients. The researchers analyzed 1,394 patients and found that the earlier the patient received whole blood transfusion, the greater the chance of survival.
Researchers identified kynurenine as a key biomarker affecting RBC storage quality and efficacy. High levels of kynurenine indicate fragile blood, prone to rupture, while lower levels suggest better storage stability.
Imetelstat, a telomerase inhibitor, successfully treated anaemia in MDS patients for up to one year, reducing the need for red blood cell transfusions. The drug offers a novel mechanism of action for patients with lower-risk MDS who do not respond to standard treatment.
A randomized controlled trial suggests that a more liberal approach to red blood cell transfusions for heart attack patients with anemia may benefit outcomes without significant risk. The study found no statistically significant difference between two transfusion strategies, but results suggest a possible benefit of liberal transfusions.
A liberal blood transfusion strategy may reduce the risk of a reoccurrence of heart attacks in patients who have had a heart attack and have anemia, according to the Myocardium Infarction and Transfusion (MINT) trial. The study found a 2.4% lower mortality rate when patients received more blood.
A liberal blood transfusion strategy reduced the risk of reoccurrence and improved survival rates in patients with heart attacks and anemia. The MINT trial found a 2.4% lower mortality or recurrent heart attack rate when using this approach.
A world-first clinical trial published in JAMA found that using small-volume tubes reduced the need for almost one blood transfusion for every 10 patients. The study saved about 1,500 units of blood and may provide an easy way to save tens of thousands of units worldwide.
A new bioinfomatics pipeline has solved a 50-year-old mystery of variable blood group antigen levels. The study found that genetic variants in transcription factors can explain the low expression of CR1, an important protein for immune response.
A new study suggests that cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), a common cause of spontaneous brain hemorrhages, can be transmitted via blood transfusion. Patients who received blood from donors with CAA were more than twice as likely to suffer a brain hemorrhage themselves.
Scientists have identified platelet factor 4 (PF4) as a common messenger for the cognitive benefits of young blood transfusion, exercise, and the longevity hormone klotho. Studies show that PF4 calms down the aged immune system, reducing inflammation and promoting brain plasticity and cognition.
A new clinical trial has found luspatercept to be significantly more effective than epoetin alfa in treating MDS anaemia, reducing the need for blood transfusions. The results have implications for treatment algorithms and may establish luspatercept as a first-line treatment option.
A study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery found that lower oxygen delivery thresholds are associated with reduced risk of kidney injury. Researchers recommend reevaluating current guidelines for oxygen delivery during cardiopulmonary bypass to minimize unnecessary blood transfusions and improve patient outcomes.
A study published in Blood reveals that SARS-CoV-2 prefers to infect blood group A cells, increasing the risk of infection. The Omicron strain of the virus also shows a stronger preference for A cells.
The inaugural issue of CHEST Critical Care focuses on clinically relevant research and patient management guidance for critical care medicine. The journal accepts submissions of original research, case series, and research letters, covering topics such as intensive care medicine and diverse populations.
The COMMANDS trial showed improved red blood cell counts and erythroid responses in transfusion-dependent patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, allowing the majority to no longer require regular blood transfusions. Luspatercept demonstrated superior effectiveness over epoetin alfa in this study.
A recent study from Amsterdam UMC suggests that being overly restrictive in blood transfusion policies may not always be the best approach. Researchers found that patients with severe thrombocytopenia actually experience less bleeding if they receive a platelet transfusion prior to central venous catheter placement.
A new E-MOTIVE solution dramatically improves outcomes for women experiencing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. The study found a 60% reduction in severe bleeding and fewer blood transfusions, potentially saving thousands of lives globally.
Pregnant women with SLE are more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity and fetal morbidity, with higher risks of premature birth, growth restriction, and acute renal failure. The study highlights the need for informed counseling and care for patients with SLE during pregnancy.
A large clinical trial of over 8,700 patients found that the sex of a donor has no effect on the survival of recipients of red blood cell transfusions. The study used a pragmatic approach to answer the question definitively and was conducted at a lower cost than typical trials.
A University of Maryland School of Medicine physician-scientist leads a research program to develop a bio-synthetic whole-blood product for easy use in the field, potentially saving thousands of lives. The product will be designed to stabilize blood pressure and facilitate blood clotting.
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that genetic analysis can identify up to 65% more A2 donors, increasing potential kidney transplants for recipient candidates with blood type B. This could improve availability and equity in kidney transplantation.
Research found that blood transfusions following solid tumor removal in pediatric oncology patients are associated with higher rates of post-surgery infectious complications, shorter disease-free intervals, and tumor recurrence. The study aims to inform thoughtful use of blood transfusion and encourage multi-center data collection.
A new study from the University of Bergen found that prophylactic anti-malarials can save money and reduce hospital readmissions for severely anaemic children in malaria-endemic areas. The research showed a 70% reduction in readmissions and deaths among these children.
A study by Columbia University found that diverse nurse workforces are associated with reduced risk of life-threatening complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-partum period. Racial and ethnic minorities face higher risks, with Native American mothers having the highest incidence of severe adverse maternal outcomes.
A new study from UTHealth Houston found that whole blood exchange treatments decreased amyloid plaque formation in mice with Alzheimer's disease-causing amyloid precursor proteins. This approach has the advantage of treating the disease in the circulation instead of the brain, potentially bypassing the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers from University Hospitals developed a transfusion appropriateness algorithm to analyze blood transfusions for adult patients. The algorithm led to a decrease in transfusions and an increase in appropriate use, resulting in cost savings of $2.5 million over 12 months.
A nationwide study in Sweden found that receiving red blood cells from female donors does not increase the risk of death in transfused patients. The study controlled for lower haemoglobin levels in women's blood and found no difference in survival rates between male and female donors.
A large trial found that maintaining body temperature at 35.5C during surgery does not reduce the risk of cardiac complications or other serious outcomes. The study suggests that routine care with a target temperature of 36C is sufficient and may even be unnecessary.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine has proved that it is possible to convert blood type safely in donor organs intended for transplantation, eliminating the need for matching by blood type. This breakthrough could significantly improve fairness in organ allocation and decrease mortality for patients on the waitlist.
A comprehensive patient blood management program implemented at Mayo Clinic reduced allogenic transfusion use by 33% and improved hospital length of stay and adverse events. The program's multi-faceted approach included education efforts, computerized order entry processes, and analytics to inform decision-making.