1. Choosing Appropriate Blood Components and Derivatives
CLS 423 Clinical Immunohematology II
Choosing Appropriate Blood Components and Derivatives
For each case, decide which blood component or derivative would be most appropriate to transfuse.
Then select the best product from the available inventory.

2. Case One Sam is being treated for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Below are the results from this morning’s CBC:
WBC 4.0 K/µL
RBC 2.64 M/µL
Hgb 6.8 g/dL
Hct 21%
Plt – 133 K/µL

3. Based on the CBC results, which of the following components would be appropriate to transfuse to Sam?
Click on the box in front of your choice:
Granulocytes
FFP
Packed RBCs
Platelet Concentrates

4. Granulocytes Not indicated in Sam’s case.
Patient is not neutropenic
History does not indicate that the patient has an infection.
Please choose another component:
FFP
Packed RBCs
Platelet Concentrates

5. FFP
There have been no coagulation tests ordered; there is no indication for plasma transfusion in this case.
Please choose another component:
Granulocytes
Packed RBCs
Platelet Concentrates

6. Platelet Concentrates
Sam’s platelet count is adequate.
Transfusion is usually not indicated unless the platelet count is <10 K/µL in a nonsurgical patient.
Please choose another component:
Granulocytes
FFP
Packed RBCs

7. Packed RBCs
Correct!
Sam has a low hemoglobin and would benefit from a RBC transfusion.
Sam’s Type and Screen results are:
A Rh Positive
Antibody screen: Negative using the gel method

8. Which of these packed RBC units would be compatible with Sam?
O Rh Positive
A Rh Negative
AB Rh Negative
B Rh Positive
Either O Rh Positive or A Rh Negative packed RBCs are group compatible with Sam’s A Rh Positive RBCs.

9. Which of the following attributes should be considered for Sam’s RBCs?
Irradiation
Leukoreduction
Washed
Patient’s with Hodgkin’s Disease have a high risk of Transfusion Associated - Graft vs. Host Disease and should get irradiated cellular products.
There is a strong chance that Sam will receive multiple transfusions, so leukoreduced units may be beneficial in preventing the formation of HLA antibodies and the complications associated with those antibodies.

10. Case Two Jill is having cardiac bypass graft surgery this afternoon.
These are her morning CBC results:
WBC 6.2 K/µL
RBC K/µL
Hgb g/dL
Hct %
Plt K/µL
These are her Type and Screen results:
O Rh Negative
Antibody screen negative with tube (PEG) method

11. Which of these components should be transfused in order to prepare Jill for surgery?
Cryoprecipitate
FFP
Packed RBCs
Platelet Concentrates

12. Cryo and FFP
There is no indication that any coagulation factors are low and in need of replacement.
Please select a different component:
Packed RBCs
Platelet Concentrates

13. Packed RBCs
Jill’s hemoglobin is acceptable. No RBC transfusion is necessary.
Please select a different component:
Cryoprecipitate
FFP
Platelet Concentrates

14. Platelet Concentrates
Jill’s platelet count is <50,000/µL. Platelet transfusion may be necessary to raise her count before proceeding with surgery.

15. Which of these platelet units would be appropriate to transfuse to Jill?
A Rh Negative
AB Rh Negative
B Rh Negative
O Rh Positive
Any of these units could be transfused to Jill as there are no antigens on her Group O RBCs that could interact with the antibodies in the donor units’ plasma.

16. O Rh Positive Platelets
This unit could be transfused to Jill
HOWEVER since she is Rh Negative…
She may need an RhIG injection afterward to prevent the formation of anti-D.

17. Case Three Steve was involved in a motor vehicle accident.
He received 12 units of O Rh Negative uncrossmatched packed RBCs in the emergency room.
He is being prepped for a splenectomy.

18. Steve’s lab results WBC 12 K/µL RBC 3.80 M/µL Hgb 10.6 g/dL Hct 30.2 %
Plt 20 K/µL
PT 24 sec
PTT 65 sec

19. Steve’s Type and Screen results
Anti-A
Anti-B
Anti-D
A1 cells
B cells
Interpretation
3+mf
2+mf 4+
???
Screen IS 37
AHG CC I 3+ II
III

20. How would you interpret Steve’s Type and Screen results?
B Rh Positive, negative antibody screen
What explains the mixed-field reactions with anti-B and anti-D?
The transfusion of a large number of O Rh Negative packed RBCs units.
When a large quantity of RBCs is transfused in less than 24 hours it is called ___________ .
Massive transfusion

21. Which of these components should Steve receive?
Cryoprecipitate
FFP
Packed RBCs
Platelets

22. Packed RBCs
At this time, Steve’s hemoglobin level is acceptable and transfusion of RBCs is not warranted as long as the patient is not actively bleeding.
Transfusion trigger is typically set at a hemoglobin of <7 g/dL
If the patient is currently bleeding, additional RBC transfusions may be indicated.
Please select a different component:
Cryoprecipitate
FFP
Platelets

23. Cryoprecipitate
Although the patient’s PT and PTT are elevated, cryoprecipitate only contains a limited number of coagulation factors and will not fully correct the multiple factor deficiencies.
There is a better component choice available.
Please choose another component:
FFP
Packed RBCs
Platelets

24. FFP
This will restore the multiple coagulation factors that were depleted as Steve bled.
There is a second component that should be transfused at this time. Which one is it?
Cryoprecipitate
Packed RBCs
Platelets

25. Platelets
Steve’s platelet count is low, especially for a pre-surgical patient, so a platelet transfusion is indicated.
Transfusion trigger <50,000/µL
Continue

26. Platelets
Steve’s platelet count is low, especially for a pre-surgical patient, so a platelet transfusion is indicated.
Transfusion trigger <50,000/µL
There is a second component that should be transfused at this time. Which one is it?
Cryoprecipitate
FFP
Packed RBCs

27. FFP
This will restore the multiple coagulation factors that were depleted as Steve bled.

28. Which of these blood types would be suitable when selecting FFP for Steve?
B Rh Negative
AB Rh Positive
O Rh Negative
A Rh Positive
The antibodies in the plasma of these donors would not react with the antigens on Steve’s RBCs.

29. Case Four
Jimmy is a 4 year old with Hemophilia A who is experiencing a bleed into his knee joints.
Which of the following would provide the best treatment for Jimmie?
Cryoprecipitate
FFP
Factor VIII concentrate
Platelet Concentrates

30. Platelet Concentrates
While Jimmie does have a bleeding problem, platelets will not correct for the coagulation deficiency found in Hemophilia A.
Please choose a different product:
Cryoprecipitate
FFP
Factor VIII Concentrate

31. FFP FFP is ideal when the patient has multiple factor deficiencies.
In this case, we are missing 1 specific factor; there is a better choice.
What is it?
Cryoprecipitate
Factor VIII Concentrate
Platelet Concentrates

32. Cryoprecipitate
This is not a bad choice, but there is a better (safer) product.
Please choose another product:
FFP
Factor VIII concentrate
Platelet Concentrates

33. Factor VIII Concentrate
This derivative product would provide the safest and most effective treatment for Jimmie.
Processed to remove/destroy viruses
Known quantity of Factor VIII

34. Case Five Sue is scheduled for a liver transplant today.
She has a history of an anaphylactic transfusion reaction.
The transfusion reaction workup revealed Sue has no IgA in her serum, and has formed anti-IgA.
The surgeon has ordered 10 units of packed RBCs and 10 units of Plasma to be prepared for the transplant surgery.

35. Which of these RBC components would prevent Sue from having another anaphylactic transfusion reaction?
Frozen/Deglycerolized RBCs
Irradiated packed RBCs
Leukoreduced packed RBCs
Washed packed RBCs
Washed packed RBCs are most suitable for prevention of anaphylactic transfusion reactions
Deglyc’d units could substitute for washed, but are more expensive and generally are units that are difficult to find

36. Assuming Sue is A Rh Negative, which of the following Plasma components could she safely receive?
A Rh Positive
B Rh Negative
O Rh Positive
AB Rh Negative
Only the A and AB plasma units lack antibodies that could react with the antigens on Sue’s Group A RBCs.
Remember that Rh is not a consideration for plasma, as plasma is not a cellular component.

37. Which of these plasma products would be appropriate for transfusion to Sue?
Fresh Frozen Plasma
IgA deficient plasma
Irradiated plasma
Washed plasma
Only IgA deficient plasma can be transfused without causing an anaphylactic reaction.
FFP will have labile coag factors present, but will also have IgA, unless specifically collected from an IgA deficient donor.
Irradiation and washing are for cellular products only.

38. What is the difference between Plasma and Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)?
FFP must be frozen within 8 hours (if manufactured from a Whole Blood collection) or according to the FDA’s guidelines (for an apheresis collection) in order to maintain adequate levels of the labile coag factors.
Factors V and VIII
Plasma can be prepared from FFP that did not meet the freezing timeline, or FFP that has been thawed and not transfused within 24 hours.
Plasma has the stabile coag factors, but reduced levels of labile factors.
In most cases, either FFP or Plasma are suitable for transfusion to restore multiple coag factor deficiencies.

39. Case Six George is a potential bone marrow transplant recipient.
During treatment to ablate his marrow, he has been supported with multiple packed RBC and platelet concentrate transfusions.
His last 3 platelet transfusions have not resulted in the expected increase in platelet count.

40. What term is given to this lack of response to platelet transfusions?
The patient is said to be refractory to platelets.

41. Transfusion of which of these components would result the greatest improvement in the platelet increment?
ABO group specific Platelets, Pheresis
HLA – matched Platelets, Pheresis
Irradiated platelets (apheresis or concentrates)
Washed platelets (apheresis or concentrates)

42. Irradiated Platelets
Although his immunosuppression may qualify George to receive irradiated cellular components, this will not improve his response to platelets in this case.
Please choose another component.
ABO group specific Platelets, Pheresis
HLA – matched Platelets, Pheresis
Washed platelets (apheresis or concentrates)

43. Washed Platelets
Washing cellular products removes plasma proteins that contribute to anaphylactic and severe allergic transfusion reactions.
This will not improve George’s response to platelet transfusion.
Please select another component:
ABO group specific Platelets, Pheresis
HLA – matched Platelets, Pheresis
Irradiated platelets (apheresis or concentrates)

44. ABO Group Specific Platelets, Pheresis
Transfusing Platelets, Pheresis will limit the number of donors that George is exposed to (in contrast to pools of platelet concentrates). This can be quite beneficial in preventing refractoriness.
While providing platelets that are ABO group specific may improve George’s response to platelet transfusion, there is a better choice.
What is it?
HLA – matched Platelets, Pheresis
Irradiated platelets (apheresis or concentrates)
Washed platelets (apheresis or concentrates)

45. HLA – matched Platelets, Pheresis
Transfusing Platelets, Pheresis will limit the number of donors that George is exposed to (in contrast to pools of platelet concentrates). This can be quite beneficial in preventing refractoriness.
Platelet refractoriness is often caused by HLA antibodies in the recipient destroying the donor platelets. Using platelets that match at the HLA- A and B loci should result in improved platelet counts.
A match = all 4 antigens (2 A’s and 2 B’s) match.
B match = 3 of 4 antigens match; 4th is either a duplicate (homozygous) or one in which the antibody cross-reacts with one of the patient’s antigens.
C match = 3 of 4 antigens match; 4th is complete mismatch. This is not a good match and will probably not improve the platelet increment.

46. What component attribute could have prevented formation of George’s HLA antibodies?
Alcohol fractionation
Leukoreduction
Irradiation
Washed
Removal of WBCs by filtration will reduce exposure to HLA antigens and limit HLA antibody formation, preventing refractoriness.

47. Attributes
Alcohol fractionation is used in preparing derivatives from plasma
Irradiation prevents Transfusion Associated - Graft vs. Host Disease
Washing removes plasma proteins in order to prevent anaphylactic and severe allergic reactions

48. Case Seven Maureen is undergoing a liver transplant.
Near the end of her procedure, the surgeon would like to transfuse her with a bolus of fibrinogen.
Which of these blood products should the surgeon order?
Albumin
Cryoprecipitate
FFP
Factor VIII concentrate

49. Albumin
This is a plasma derivative that does not contain coagulation factors.
Please choose another product:
Cryoprecipitate
FFP
Factor VIII concentrate

50. Factor VIII Concentrate
This plasma derivative contains Factor VIII only.
Fibrinogen is NOT in this product.
Please choose a different product:
Albumin
Cryoprecipitate
FFP

51. FFP FFP contains multiple coagulation factors, including fibrinogen.
However, there are more coag factors in this component than what the recipient requires.
There is a better choice. What is it?
Albumin
Cryoprecipitate
Factor VIII concentrate

52. Cryoprecipitate
The most common use of cryoprecipitate is for replacement of fibrinogen!

53. If Maureen is AB Rh Positive, which of these cryoprecipitate units would be the best choice for her transfusion?
AB Rh Negative
A Rh Positive
O Rh Positive
B Rh Positive
All of the above!
Since there are no cells and extremely little plasma in cryoprecipitate, a recipient of any blood type can receive cryoprecipitate of any blood type.

54. Case Eight Mike is scheduled for prostate surgery.
His surgeon has ordered four units of packed RBCs for him.
These are his type and screen results:
Anti-A
Anti-B
Anti-D
A1 cells
B cells
Interpretation 2+ 4+ W+
?????
Screen Cells IS 37
AHG CC I 3+ II
III

55. Mike has an ABO Discrepancy
What is the most likely cause?
Please click the button in front of your choice.
Cold alloantibody
Cold autoantibody
Rouleaux
Subgroup of A with anti-A1

56. Rouleaux
Not likely as none of the screen cells reacted at the IS phase.
Since rouleaux is due to excess plasma proteins, all the reactions using the patient’s plasma should have been affected.
Please make another choice:
Cold alloantibody
Cold autoantibody
Subgroup of A with anti-A1

57. Cold Alloantibody
There should have been reactivity with one or more screen cells at the IS phase if this were the source of the discrepancy.
Please make another selection:
Cold autoantibody
Rouleaux
Subgroup of A with anti-A1

58. Cold Autoantibody
No reactivity with the screen cells at the IS phase rules out this possibility.
Please make another selection:
Cold alloantibody
Rouleaux
Subgroup of A with anti-A1

59. Subgroup of A with anti-A1
YES! How would you confirm this?
Test the patient’s RBCs with anti-A1 lectin to prove that the patient lacks this antigen and could form an antibody to it.
Repeat the reverse grouping using A2 cells to prove the reactivity with the A1 cells is directed at the A1 antigen and NOT against the A antigen.

60. Which of the following packed RBC units would be appropriate for transfusion to Mike?
A1 Rh Negative
A2 Rh Positive
A2B Rh Positive
O Rh Positive
O Rh Negative
These units lack antigens that would react with Mike’s antibodies (anti-A1 and anti-B).

61. Should Mike’s surgeon order Plasma during surgery, which of these Plasma units would be acceptable?
A1 Rh Negative
A2 Rh Positive
A2B Rh Positive
O Rh Positive
O Rh Negative
These units do not contain antibodies that would react with the antigens on Mike’s RBCs.
Remember it is Mike who has anti-A1 in his plasma, not the plasma donor!

62. Case Nine Willie has anti-Jsb in his serum.
If his physician wants to transfuse packed RBCs to Willie, which of these sources should be considered?
Autologous blood
Directed donors
Designated Donors
Frozen deglycerolized units

63. All of these!
Jsb is a high prevalence antigen, so finding antigen negative blood will be difficult.
If it is possible to plan ahead, Willie should be encouraged to donate autologous RBCs.
These could be frozen for future use.
Sometimes when one person in a family is negative for a high prevalence antigen, there are others in the family (i.e. siblings) who are also antigen negative. These individuals may be able to serve as Directed Donors.
If the antiserum to type family members is not readily available, and the patient’s antibody is strong and you have an adequate quantity, you may screen potential donors with the patient’s serum and then have the donors who appear to be compatible tested for the antigen by a reference laboratory that does have the anti-serum.

64. Designated Donors
The American Rare Donor program maintains a database of donors who are Rh null, Bombay phenotype, negative for high prevalence antigens, etc.
Working with a reference laboratory, it may be possible to recruit a “rare donor” to make a donation for a specific recipient (liquid unit).
When these rare donor units are not immediately transfused, they are frozen in glycerol; if a liquid unit is not available, a frozen unit may be located.
Frozen, deglycerolized units typically outdate 24 hours after thawing.

65. How did you do?
The End