Biomaterial Database

Transfusion in the intensive care unit. 2006

Jean-Louis Vincent, and Michael Piagnerelli

Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Belgium.

OBJECTIVE To summarize the incidences of anemia and blood transfusions in critically ill patients, assess their comparative risks and benefits, and briefly speculate on the possible effects of leukoreduction and blood storage on the need to reevaluate transfusion triggers. METHODS A review of the current literature was performed. RESULTS Anemia is common in intensive care unit patients and is associated with increased mortality. Some 20-53% of intensive care unit patients will receive a blood transfusion during their stay, and these have also been associated with worse outcomes. Leukoreduction may limit some of the infectious and immunomodulatory risks associated with blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS Data on the risks and benefits of blood transfusion are conflicting, and with recent changes in blood transfusion practice, including the widespread introduction of leukoreduction, it is time to reevaluate our transfusion triggers.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007362	Intensive Care Units	Hospital units providing continuous surveillance and care to acutely ill patients.	ICU Intensive Care Units,Intensive Care Unit,Unit, Intensive Care
D001803	Blood Transfusion	The introduction of whole blood or blood component directly into the blood stream. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Blood Transfusions,Transfusion, Blood,Transfusions, Blood
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000740	Anemia	A reduction in the number of circulating ERYTHROCYTES or in the quantity of HEMOGLOBIN.	Anemias
D016638	Critical Illness	A disease or state in which death is possible or imminent.	Critically Ill,Critical Illnesses,Illness, Critical,Illnesses, Critical
D047589	Leukocyte Reduction Procedures	The removal of LEUKOCYTES from BLOOD to reduce BLOOD TRANSFUSION reactions and lower the chance of transmitting VIRUSES. This may be performed by FILTRATION or by CYTAPHERESIS.	Leukocyte Depletion Procedures,Leukocyte Reduction Filtration,Leukocyte Removal Procedures,Depletion Procedure, Leukocyte,Depletion Procedures, Leukocyte,Filtration, Leukocyte Reduction,Filtrations, Leukocyte Reduction,Leukocyte Depletion Procedure,Leukocyte Reduction Filtrations,Leukocyte Reduction Procedure,Leukocyte Removal Procedure,Procedure, Leukocyte Depletion,Procedure, Leukocyte Reduction,Procedure, Leukocyte Removal,Procedures, Leukocyte Depletion,Procedures, Leukocyte Reduction,Procedures, Leukocyte Removal,Reduction Filtration, Leukocyte,Reduction Filtrations, Leukocyte,Reduction Procedure, Leukocyte,Reduction Procedures, Leukocyte,Removal Procedure, Leukocyte,Removal Procedures, Leukocyte
D065227	Transfusion Reaction	Complications of BLOOD TRANSFUSION. Included adverse reactions are common allergic and febrile reactions; hemolytic (delayed and acute) reactions; and other non-hemolytic adverse reactions such as infections and adverse immune reactions related to immunocompatibility.	Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction,Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction,Blood Transfusion-Associated Adverse Reactions,Delayed Serologic Transfusion Reaction,Febrile Non-Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction,Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction,Hypotensive Transfusion Reaction,Post-Transfusion Purpura,Posttransfusion Purpura,TAGHD,Transfusion-Associated Allergic Reaction,Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload,Transfusion-Associated Dyspnea,Transfusion-Associated Graft Vs. Host Disease,Transfusion-Transmitted Infection,Allergic Reaction, Transfusion-Associated,Blood Transfusion Associated Adverse Reactions,Circulatory Overload, Transfusion-Associated,Circulatory Overloads, Transfusion-Associated,Dyspnea, Transfusion-Associated,Febrile Non Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction,Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions,Infection, Transfusion-Transmitted,Post Transfusion Purpura,Posttransfusion Purpuras,Purpura, Post-Transfusion,Purpura, Posttransfusion,Reaction, Hemolytic Transfusion,Reaction, Hypotensive Transfusion,Reactions, Hemolytic Transfusion,Transfusion Associated Allergic Reaction,Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload,Transfusion Associated Dyspnea,Transfusion Associated Graft Vs. Host Disease,Transfusion Reaction, Hemolytic,Transfusion Reaction, Hypotensive,Transfusion Reactions,Transfusion Reactions, Hemolytic,Transfusion Reactions, Hypotensive,Transfusion Transmitted Infection,Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overloads,Transfusion-Transmitted Infections