A multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial of transfusion requirements in critical care

Article Abstract:

Many critically ill patients may benefit from a restrictive blood transfusion policy. Most intensive care units transfuse blood when the patient's hemoglobin falls below 10 grams per deciliter. A restrictive policy means that the transfusion is not done until the hemoglobin falls below 7. Researchers analyzed mortality rates in 838 critically ill patients, about half of whom received blood under a restrictive policy. Among younger patients and patients who were not severely ill, mortality rates were significantly lower in patients in the restrictive transfusion group. Patients with heart disease did better under the traditional transfusion policy.

Author: Tweeddale, Martin, Marshall, John (Supreme Court justice), Hebert, Paul C., Blajchman, Morris A., Schweitzer, Irwin, Wells, George, Martin, Claudio, Pagliarello, Giuseppe, Yetisir, Elizabeth
Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1999

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Clinical outcomes following institution of universal leukoreduction of blood transfusions for premature infants

Article Abstract:

Removing white blood cells from donated blood before transfusion can improve the outcome of premature babies, according to a study of 515 premature babies who received a transfusion before or after Canada began routinely removing white blood cells from all donated blood. However, removing white blood cells from transfused blood did not lower mortality rates or decrease the risk of bacterial infection. White blood cells in blood transfusions can suppress the immune system, which increases the risk of infection.

Author: Joseph, Lawrence, Lee, Shoo K., Hebert, Paul C., Fergusson, Dean, Blajchman, Morris A., Walker, C. Robin, Barrington, Keith J., Shapiro, Stan
Publisher: American Medical Association
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2003
Infants (Premature), Premature infants, Infant mortality

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Clinical outcomes following institution of the Canadian Universal Leukoreduction Program for red blood cell transfusions

Article Abstract:

Removing white blood cells from donated blood before transfusion can lower the risk of fever and death in critically ill patients, according to a study of 14,786 patients who received a blood transfusion before or after Canada began routinely removing white blood cells from all blood donations. This was done because blood transfusion can suppress the patient's immune system, which in turn increases the risk of infection.

Author: Walraven, Carl van, Germain, Marc, Wells, George A., Hebert, Paul C., Fergusson, Dean, Blajchman, Morris A., Kmetic, Andrew, Coyle, Doug, Heddle, Nancy, Goldman, Mindy, Toye, Baldwin, Schweitzer, Irwin, Devine, Dana, Sher, Graham D.
Publisher: American Medical Association
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2003

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Subjects list: Health aspects, Patient outcomes, Mortality, Blood transfusion, Critically ill, Death of
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