Most of the blood transfusion facilities had adequate space, but lacked some of the basic equipment. Blood collected in these facilities was not adequate to meet the blood needs of the regions. These facilities lacked specialised personnel and some of those practicing blood transfusion were not conversant with blood groups, transfusion reactions and the measures to be taken if a reaction occurs. The findings of this study will be used to strengthen blood transfusion services in these hard to reach regions.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

The administration of blood products is someway potential in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, due to higher morbidity in this population and the complexity inherent in the procedure itself. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most performed cardiovascular surgery, often associated with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). CPB is related to greater need of blood transfusion in such surgery, however different techniques can be applied in order to reduce this need. It is well established that the miniaturization of the CPB circuit (miniCPB) correlates with lower intraoperative blood loss and less requirement of blood transfusions. Cell saver autologous blood transfusion system reuses red blood cells lost in intraoperative bleeding, through a mechanism of aspiration, filtration, washing and concentration, with subsequent reinfusion to the patient. This system adds security to perioperative transfusion process, exceedingly reducing the requirement of pRBC in cardiovascular surgeries. The main objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the impact of cell saver autologous blood transfusion system on the use of blood products in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. We carried out a cross-sectional study in 87 patients undergoing primary elective CABG with miniCPB, divided in two groups 44 without-CSS and 43 with-CSS. All data were retrieved from medical records. We investigated the necessity of absolute use and the volume of blood components in this population, as well as cardiovascular risk factors and pre and intraoperative surgical parameters. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of cardiovascular risk factors and pre and intraoperative variables, with significance level taken as 5%. When we evaluated the absolute use of pRBC during surgery, there was a statistically significant difference (p=0.00008) between groups without-CSS (21/44 cases 47.7%) and with-CSS (4/43 cases 9.3%). There was also a strong statistically significant difference (p=0.000117) in the volumes of pRBC between without-CSS (198.65±258.65ml) and with-CSS (35.06±125.67ml) groups. On the other hand, in the early postoperative period (up to 24h) there was no difference regarding the absolute use or the volumes of pRBC between both studied groups. The use of a cell saver autologous blood transfusion system results can reduce the requirement of erythrocyte transfusion (pRBC) in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery associated to miniCPB. / O uso de hemocomponentes é frequente em pacientes submetidos a cirurgias cardíacas, devido a maior morbidade dessa população e da complexidade inerente ao procedimento em si. A cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (CRM) corresponde à maioria dos procedimentos cirúrgicos cardiovasculares, sendo, em grande parte das vezes, associada à circulação extracorpórea (CEC). A utilização da CEC está relacionada com maior necessidade de uso de hemotransfusão em tais cirurgias, contudo, diferentes técnicas podem ser aplicadas com o intuito de reduzir essa necessidade. Já é bem estabelecido que a miniaturização do circuito da CEC (miniCEC) correlaciona-se com menor perda sanguínea transoperatória e menor uso de transfusões sanguíneas. O sistema de autotransfusão com hemoconcentração (SAH) permite o reaproveitamento de hemácias provenientes do sangramento transoperatório, através de um mecanismo de aspiração, filtração, lavagem e concentração, com posterior reinfusão ao próprio paciente. Tal sistema agrega segurança ao processo transfusional peri-operatório, diminuindo sobremaneira o uso de concentrado de hemácias (CH) homólogo em cirurgias cardiovasculares. O objetivo dessa dissertação foi demonstrar o impacto do SAH no uso de hemocomponentes em cirurgias de revascularização do miocárdio com miniCEC. Foi desenvolvido um estudo transversal com 87 pacientes submetidos a CRM eletiva primária associada a miniCEC, sendo 44 sem uso do SAH e 43 pacientes com uso do SAH. Foi investigada a necessidade do uso e do volume de hemocomponentes nesta população, identificando também fatores de risco cardiovascular, variáveis pré-operatórias e parâmetros cirúrgicos transoperatórios através da coleta de dados em prontuários. Em relação a fatores de risco cardiovascular e variáveis pré e transoperatórias entre os dois grupos não houve diferença estatística significativa, ao nível de significância de 5%. Quando se avaliou o uso absoluto de CH no transoperatório, houve diferença estatística significativa (p=0,00008) entre os grupos sem-SAH (21/44 casos 47,7%) e com-SAH (4/43 casos 9,3%). Na análise dos volumes de CH utilizados no transoperatório, também houve diferença significativa (p=0,000117) entre os volumes utilizados nos grupos sem-SAH (198,65±258,65ml) e com-SAH (35,06±125,67ml). Já no pós-operatório imediato (até 24h) não houve diferença tanto no uso absoluto quanto nos volumes de CH entre os grupos que usaram ou não o SAH. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que o reaproveitamento de hemácias possibilitado pelo uso do sistema de autotransfusão com hemoconcentração determina menor uso de CH homólogo no transoperatório de cirurgias de revascularização do miocárdio com uso de miniCEC.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Most of the blood transfusion facilities had adequate space, but lacked some of the basic equipment. Blood collected in these facilities was not adequate to meet the blood needs of the regions. These facilities lacked specialised personnel and some of those practicing blood transfusion were not conversant with blood groups, transfusion reactions and the measures to be taken if a reaction occurs. The findings of this study will be used to strengthen blood transfusion services in these hard to reach regions. / South Africa

Les plaquettes sanguines sont des cellules qui ont un rôle majeur au cours des processus de l’hémostase primaire et jouent un rôle primordial dans l’immunité innée mais aussi adaptative. Ces cellules anucléées ont une capacité sécrétoire très importante de facteurs solubles notamment de cytokines, de chimiokines (CK/CH) et de facteurs immunomodulateurs. L’émergence du rôle inflammatoire des plaquettes sanguines dans la communauté scientifique a soulevé de nombreuses questions auxquelles nous essayons de répondre dans ce manuscrit. La majorité de ces questions repose sur la capacité de ces cellules anucléées à répondre de manière régulée à des stimuli complexes. Nos investigations pour répondre à ces questions ont été réalisées dans un contexte transfusion sanguine. Au cours de nos travaux, nous avons mis en évidence la corrélation des profils de sécrétion plaquettaire avec les récepteurs membranaires et les voies de signalisations intraplaquettaires engagées. Les plaquettes expriment plusieurs récepteurs immunitaires sur leur surface notamment les « Pattern recognition receptors » (PRR) et des récepteurs aux CK/CH. Nous avons démontré et caractérisé la fonction d’un nouveau récepteur plaquettaire, le Siglec-7. Ce récepteur est localisé dans les granules a ; son expression sur la membrane est corrélée avec l’état d’activation plaquettaire. Le Siglec-7 a une avidité élevée avec les molécules composées d’α2,8-disialyl (NeuAcα2,8NeuAcα2,3Gal) et de α2,6-sialyl (Gal-b1,3[NeuAcα2,6]HexNAc) (comme les gangliosides GD2, GD3 et GT1b). L’engagement de ce récepteur peut induire l’apoptose plaquettaire par la voie intrinsèque et extramitochondriale. Ce processus nécessite l’engagement du récepteur GPIIbIIIa et P2Y1 et la signalisation de la voie de PI3k. Nous avons également étudié et mis en évidence une composante inflammatoire multifactorielle dans les effets indésirables des receveurs (EIR) et trouvé dans les concentrés plaquettaires (CP), plusieurs facteurs solubles ayant une valeur prédictive élevée pour la survenue des EIR, notamment le sCD40L et l’IL-13. Nous avons confirmé que la concentration de ces facteurs augmente au cours de temps de stockage des CP, étant, en partie, responsable du taux élevé de l’EIR des CP âgés. Enfin, en plus de la conservation, les processus de préparation des CP peuvent aussi avoir des impacts sur les propriétés inflammatoires des plaquettes. Ces travaux montrent que la réponse inflammatoire plaquettaire est régulée en fonction du stimulus, permettant d’argumenter sur le rôle présumé de sentinelle des plaquettes sanguines humaines. Ainsi, mes travaux s’inscrivent dans la ré-exploration de la fonction inflammatoire des plaquettes sanguines et l’étude du rôle des plaquettes comme cellules de l’immunité à composante inflammatoire / Blood platelets are non-nucleated cells and play a major role in primary hemostasis and a key role in inflammation, innate and adaptive immunity. They secrete a large variety of soluble factors including cytokines/chemokines (CK/CH) and immunomodulator factors. The emergence of their inflammatory role has raised numerous questions based on the ability of platelets to respond to complex stimuli. Our investigations to answer these questions were realized in the context of platelet component transfusion. In our study, we demonstrated the correlation between the platelet secretion of soluble factors with their membrane receptors and the signaling pathways involved. Platelets express many immune receptors on their surface, including "Pattern recognition receptors" (PRRs) and receptor for CK/CH. We discovered and characterized the function of a new platelet receptor, the Siglec-7. This receptor is located in the granules a and its expression is correlated to the platelet activation level. The Siglec -7 has a high avidity with the molecules composed of α2,8-disialyl (NeuAcα2,8NeuAcα2,3Gal) and of α2,6-sialyl (Gal-b1,3[NeuAcα2,6]HexNAc) (ganglioside GD2 , GD3 and GT1b). Stimulation of this platelet receptor may induce platelet apoptosis by the intrinsic and extramitochondrial pathway. This process requires the engagement of GPIIbIIIa and P2Y1 receptor and the PI3K pathway. We also demonstrated a multifactorial inflammatory component in adverse effects issuing from platelets transfusion, and identified many soluble factors which have a high predictive value of Acute Transfusion Reactions (ATR) occurrence, such as sCD40L and IL- 13. We confirmed that the concentration of these factors increases during storage time of platelet component (PC), being partly responsible for the high rate of ATR by old PC. Finally, in addition to the PC conservation, the process of PC preparation may also have impacts on the inflammatory properties of platelets. These studies showed that the platelet inflammatory response is regulated by the stimulus, explaining the sentinel role of human blood platelets. Therefore, my work contributes to the re-exploration of inflammatory function of these cells and studies their role as an immune cell with an inflammatory component

Les transfusions sanguines sont fréquemment employées pour corriger l’anémie secondaire à une arthroplastie de la hanche ou du genou. Il n’y a cependant pas consensus sur les indications de transfuser. La tendance actuelle est d’utiliser une stratégie transfusionnelle restrictive (soit un seuil de 75-80 g/L d’hémoglobine) mais les conséquences d’une telle pratique sur la récupération fonctionnelle et la qualité de vie des patients sont mal connues. Dans un premier temps, nous avons caractérisé la pratique transfusionnelle au Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). Notre hypothèse était que, devant l’imprécision des recommandations, la pratique transfusionnelle serait variable. Une étude rétrospective de 701 dossiers de patients ayant subi une arthroplastie de la hanche ou du genou a été réalisée. Nous avons observé que les transfusions étaient utilisées de la même façon dans les trois hôpitaux et que les médecins basaient leur décision de transfuser principalement sur un seul chiffre, la concentration d’hémoglobine, adoptant une stratégie restrictive. Soixante-six pourcent des patients avaient une concentration d’hémoglobine inférieure à 100 g/L au départ de l’hôpital. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons évalué l’impact de cette anémie postopératoire sur la récupération fonctionnelle et la qualité de vie des patients. Notre hypothèse était qu’il existe une concentration d’hémoglobine en dessous de laquelle celles-ci sont atteintes. Une étude de cohorte prospective et observationnelle a été menée chez 305 patients regroupés selon leur concentration d’hémoglobine postopératoire. Les groupes d’hémoglobine (≤ 80, 81-90, 91-100 et > 100 g/L) étaient similaires dans l’évolution de la distance de marche en six minutes, de l’évaluation de l’effort fourni, de la force de préhension et des scores de qualité de vie. L’anémie modérée n’est donc pas associée à une atteinte de la récupération fonctionnelle et de la qualité de vie à court terme. D’autres études devront déterminer les conséquences à long terme d’une stratégie transfusionnelle restrictive sur ces patients. / Red blood cell transfusions are frequently used to treat anemia after total hip or knee arthroplasties. The indications for transfusions remain unclear despite published guidelines. Clinicians have adopted a restrictive transfusion threshold (75-80 g/L) but the consequences of such a strategy on functional outcome and quality of life are not known. First, we characterized the transfusion practice inside the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). Our hypothesis was that transfusion practice varies inside the CHUM due to uncertainty. A retrospective study of 701 charts of patients operated for a hip or knee arthroplasty was conducted. We observed that there was no difference among hospitals regarding the way transfusions are used and that physicians mainly based their decision to transfuse on a single variable, the hemoglobin concentration, adopting a restrictive transfusion strategy. Sixty-six percent of patients had a hemoglobin concentration under 100 g/L after surgery. Second, we evaluated the impact of this postoperative anemia on functional outcome and quality of life. We hypothesized that a threshold hemoglobin concentration exists below which these become impaired. A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted in 305 patients categorized in groups according to their postoperative hemoglobin concentration. Hemoglobin groups (≤ 80, 81-90, 91-100 and > 100 g/L) were similar in the evolution of the distance walked in six minutes, perception of effort, maximal dominant hand strength and quality of life scores. Thus, moderate anemia is not associated with an impaired functional recovery or quality of life early after hip and knee arthroplasties. Further studies will be required to determine the long-term consequences of a restrictive transfusion strategy in these patients.

Les transfusions sanguines sont fréquemment employées pour corriger l’anémie secondaire à une arthroplastie de la hanche ou du genou. Il n’y a cependant pas consensus sur les indications de transfuser. La tendance actuelle est d’utiliser une stratégie transfusionnelle restrictive (soit un seuil de 75-80 g/L d’hémoglobine) mais les conséquences d’une telle pratique sur la récupération fonctionnelle et la qualité de vie des patients sont mal connues. Dans un premier temps, nous avons caractérisé la pratique transfusionnelle au Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). Notre hypothèse était que, devant l’imprécision des recommandations, la pratique transfusionnelle serait variable. Une étude rétrospective de 701 dossiers de patients ayant subi une arthroplastie de la hanche ou du genou a été réalisée. Nous avons observé que les transfusions étaient utilisées de la même façon dans les trois hôpitaux et que les médecins basaient leur décision de transfuser principalement sur un seul chiffre, la concentration d’hémoglobine, adoptant une stratégie restrictive. Soixante-six pourcent des patients avaient une concentration d’hémoglobine inférieure à 100 g/L au départ de l’hôpital. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons évalué l’impact de cette anémie postopératoire sur la récupération fonctionnelle et la qualité de vie des patients. Notre hypothèse était qu’il existe une concentration d’hémoglobine en dessous de laquelle celles-ci sont atteintes. Une étude de cohorte prospective et observationnelle a été menée chez 305 patients regroupés selon leur concentration d’hémoglobine postopératoire. Les groupes d’hémoglobine (≤ 80, 81-90, 91-100 et > 100 g/L) étaient similaires dans l’évolution de la distance de marche en six minutes, de l’évaluation de l’effort fourni, de la force de préhension et des scores de qualité de vie. L’anémie modérée n’est donc pas associée à une atteinte de la récupération fonctionnelle et de la qualité de vie à court terme. D’autres études devront déterminer les conséquences à long terme d’une stratégie transfusionnelle restrictive sur ces patients. / Red blood cell transfusions are frequently used to treat anemia after total hip or knee arthroplasties. The indications for transfusions remain unclear despite published guidelines. Clinicians have adopted a restrictive transfusion threshold (75-80 g/L) but the consequences of such a strategy on functional outcome and quality of life are not known. First, we characterized the transfusion practice inside the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). Our hypothesis was that transfusion practice varies inside the CHUM due to uncertainty. A retrospective study of 701 charts of patients operated for a hip or knee arthroplasty was conducted. We observed that there was no difference among hospitals regarding the way transfusions are used and that physicians mainly based their decision to transfuse on a single variable, the hemoglobin concentration, adopting a restrictive transfusion strategy. Sixty-six percent of patients had a hemoglobin concentration under 100 g/L after surgery. Second, we evaluated the impact of this postoperative anemia on functional outcome and quality of life. We hypothesized that a threshold hemoglobin concentration exists below which these become impaired. A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted in 305 patients categorized in groups according to their postoperative hemoglobin concentration. Hemoglobin groups (≤ 80, 81-90, 91-100 and > 100 g/L) were similar in the evolution of the distance walked in six minutes, perception of effort, maximal dominant hand strength and quality of life scores. Thus, moderate anemia is not associated with an impaired functional recovery or quality of life early after hip and knee arthroplasties. Further studies will be required to determine the long-term consequences of a restrictive transfusion strategy in these patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes and perceptions of health care professionals to alternatives to blood transfusion for Jehovah's Witnesses patients in a critical care setting. Methodology: Quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to explore the attitudes and perceptions of health care professional to alternatives to blood transfusion, in a critical care setting. The study was conducted in four largest hospitals in the Durban Metropolitan area, of which two were public and two private. A questionnaire was used as tool for collecting data. Space was provided to accommodate comments from the respondents in the questionnaire. Analysis of findings was done quantitatively by using a computer programme called SPSS (Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences), version 11.5. Themes that emerged from the participant's responses were classified under categories in the conceptual framework and analysed qualitatively. Findings: Most of the respondents had mixed feelings about using alternatives to blood transfusion. The study revealed, however, that although alternatives to blood transfusions were commonly used in a critical care setting, some of the respondents did not know about the different types of alternatives available. Furthermore, it was evident from the respondent's comments that most of them had a positive attitude to people who refused blood transfusion and preferred alternatives. Research into suitable alternatives to blood transfusion was encouraged by most of the respondents. However, transfusion transmitted diseases emerged as a current concern over and above the religious concerns. Recommendations for the future were made for the health care professionals working in critical care setting, nurse educators and nursing management. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2004.

Project title: Optimalization of the regime of marker's examination of clinically important infections in blood donors Project author: Daniela Dušková, M.D. Project supervisor: prof. Vladimír Tesař, M.D., Dr.Sc., MBA, FASN The aim of this project is to contribute to the discussion about introducing the methods of molecular biology into the routine blood donor testing in the transfusions departments in the Czech Republic. The theoretical part includes a brief history and some turning points in transfusion medicine. The next part within the theoretical section is dedicated to the problems of infectious diseases concerning transfusion and the general examination processes used during the selection of blood donors. The end of the theoretical part concentrates on existing possibilities of markers' examination of clinically important infections in blood donors, including the list of processes performed in the Czech Republic, the European Union and other countries. The practical part describes this study, ie. the routine screening test of blood donors using the CMIA method (a routine method) and using RT-Real Time PCR method (a molecular biology method) for detecting infectious markers (HCV, HBV, HIV). Within this part, the principle of both methods and the process of actual examinations are described in...

Les transfusions de culots globulaires sont une pratique fréquente aux soins intensifs; elles sont associées à de nombreuses complications. Ce travail s'intéresse à l'une d'entre elles, celle qui occasionne le plus de décès, la surcharge volémique liée à la transfusion (Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload - TACO). Dans une première étude, nous avons tenté de déterminer l’impact des critères diagnostiques pris en compte dans la définition adulte du TACO dans une population de soins intensifs pédiatriques. Cette définition a été appliquée à 136 patients de soins intensifs pédiatriques durant leur séjour. Nous avons obtenu des taux d’incidence du TACO très variables (entre 1,5 et 76%) selon la manière d’interpréter les critères diagnostiques proposés. Notre seconde étude a consisté en une revue exploratoire de la littérature concernant le TACO aux soins intensifs adultes et pédiatriques, peu importe le type de produit sanguin labile transfusé. Neuf études ont rencontré nos critères d’inclusion, à savoir décrire au moins un des critères suivants : l’incidence, les facteurs de risque ou les conséquences du TACO. Huit études étaient observationnelles. Seules trois études étudiaient la population pédiatrique. Les résultats montrent une incidence cumulée de TACO plus élevée aux soins intensifs (5,5%) que dans la population générale. Les principaux facteurs de risque chez l'adulte sont liés à la balance liquidienne préexistante, aux caractéristiques de la transfusion elle-même et aux comorbidités déjà présentes chez le patient. En outre, le TACO adulte est associé à une augmentation de la durée de séjour à l'hôpital. Les études pédiatriques incluses ne rapportaient aucune donnée sur les facteurs de risque et les conséquences du TACO dans cette population. Ce travail a permis de montrer que la définition actuelle du TACO n’est pas applicable à la population des soins intensifs pédiatriques. Le TACO aux soins intensifs est peu présent dans la littérature scientifique malgré sa fréquence et les risques qu’il présente; d’autres études sont indispensables pour en améliorer sa compréhension. Nous évoquerons certaines voies de recherche qui permettraient une meilleure connaissance de cette complication potentiellement mortelle des transfusions. / Red blood cell transfusions are common practice in intensive care and lead to many adverse reactions. This research project is focused on the most frequent fatal complication: transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO). In our first study, we tried to determine the impact of the diagnostic criteria of the adult definition of TACO in a pediatric intensive care population. The definition was applied to 136 pediatric intensive care patients during their stay. We obtained highly variable incidence rates (from 1.5 to 76%) depending on the interpretation of the diagnostic criteria. Our second study is a scoping review of the literature about TACO in intensive care, both adult and pediatric, regardless of the type of labile blood product transfused. Nine studies met our inclusion criteria, namely, to describe at least one of the following criteria: incidence, risk factors or outcomes of TACO. Eight studies were observational. Only three studies were conducted in pediatric population. The results showed a pooled incidence of TACO which is higher (5.5%) in intensive care than in the general population. The main risk factors in the adult population were related to the positive pre-existing fluid balance, the characteristics of the transfusion itself and the patients’ preexisting comorbidities. Furthermore, the results showed an association between TACO in adult intensive care and an increased length of stay. None of the included pediatric study reported data on risk factors or outcomes. This research demonstrates that the current TACO definition is not applicable for the pediatric intensive care population. There is limited literature about TACO in intensive care despite its occurrence rate and the associated risks; other studies are therefore necessary to enhance its comprehension. We will touch on potential research pathways that would lead to a better understanding of this deadly transfusion complication.