Written by Mohammed Majrashi and Edited by Ashima Seth
People have shown an intense interest in blood for centuries: Ancient Egyptians used to bathe in it, the aristocrats used to drink it, and today it is used as a medical treatment. Blood transfusions are used to replenish any blood lost because of surgery or a serious injury, or if one’s body cannot make enough blood properly [1]. A blood transfusion occurs when a needle is injected to start an intravenous (IV) line in your blood vessel. From this line, one obtains healthy blood donated by another person and deemed to be safe for transfusion depending on several factors, such as compatibility of blood groups [1]. Depending on how much blood one requires, this procedure could last between 1-4 hours [1].
Transfusion therapy is a concept that includes all facets of transfusing (giving blood) to patients [2]. Blood transfusion therapy is utilized mainly to treat two conditions: lack of oxygen in the body due to blood loss or anemia, and inadequate coagulation proteins or platelets (crucial for blood clotting) to restore stability to internal body conditions [2]. Depending on your condition, different types of blood transfusions are given and blood is given as a whole or with specific blood components such as plasma or platelets [1]. Red blood cell transfusions are needed if blood is lost due to injury or severe anemia (when your blood has an abnormally low amount of red blood cells) as a result of disease [1]. Transfusions of platelets and coagulation proteins are needed if the body does not make enough of either due to illness, such as in the case of dengue fever. [1].
For each blood transfusion, there are specific instructions on how to safely transfuse a given sample of blood, as well as expected outcomes such as reactions and what to do in case they happen [2]. Just like drugs that are used to treat diseases, blood therapy can also have adverse effects and thus requires careful monitoring when administering blood to patients [2]. Additionally, patients with specialized care are given specific strategies and treatment plans to fully benefit from blood therapy [2]. For example, some patients are required to take certain medicines, such as Benadryl and Tylenol, before blood transfusions to counteract any allergic reactions [1]. In other cases, the blood being transfused must first be washed or removed of antibodies before being given to certain patients to prevent severe allergic reactions [3].
Even with precautions for transfusing blood and individualized treatment plans for patients, blood transfusions still pose certain risks. Although rare, the risks of receiving blood transfusions include inheriting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) when a blood donor who has the virus donates his/her blood and has not been tested [4]. Another risk of blood transfusions is the development of hemochromatosis (excess iron in the body) if done for a long period of time over the years [5]. Another prominent risk of blood transfusions is blood group incompatibility and it stems from receiving blood that is not the same type as yours [6]. Normally, each person has one of four blood types: A, B, AB, or O and one of two possible Rhesus factors (an inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells): Rh-positive or Rh-negative. Together, these give rise to eight different blood types that are possible [6]. The blood that one receives must match their blood type or severe allergic reactions occur when the recipient’s body attacks the incompatible blood being given [6].
Despite these risks, blood transfusions remain in high demand and as a result blood shortages are to be expected. Blood shortages are a recurring problem because of the short life span of donated blood cells (21 days) after collection and storage, and also because of a lack of donors [7]. To combat these shortages, measures such as freezing the red blood cells and other components of the donated blood are being used and have shown to be effective in alleviating blood shortages [7]. By freezing and then thawing donated blood, the transport of oxygen within red blood cells increases to provide them with a larger concentration of oxygen [7]. Despite such benefits, using these measures tremendously increases operating costs of blood transfusions [7].
Blood transfusions are therapeutic procedures that have many benefits such as improving the quality of life for people with blood diseases. However, when you go to an unsafe facility and receive blood transfusions there are increased risks of receiving blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and secondary diseases such as hemochromatosis. Despite this, blood transfusions are still utilized today as a therapeutic procedure with it serving as an effective treatment. So go out there and donate my friends!
References:
- “Blood Transfusion.” National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-transfusion
- Harmening, D.M. (2012). Modern Blood Banking & Transfusion Practices. Transfusion Therapy, 353-365.
- Lueptow, R. M., Peterson, J. J. (1984). U.S. Patent No. 4,482,342. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- “Blood Transfusions & Transplants and HIV.” Avert. https://www.avert.org/hiv-transmission-prevention/blood-transfusions-transplants
- Shwartz, S.O., Blumenthal, S.A. (1948). Exogenous Hemochromatosis Resulting from Blood Transfusions. Blood the Journal of Hematology, Volume 3:617-640.
- “Getting a Blood Transfusion.” American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/blood-transfusion-and-donation/how-blood-transfusions-are-done.html