1. Blood transfusion: When to transfuse and risks involved
Yung Lyou | June 2014
Department of Internal Medicine

2. Case
A 67 y/o male w/ h/o CAD s/p CABG, CKD stage III, HTN, HLD, DM is admitted for community acquired pneumonia. After 3x days of inpatient treatment with IV antibiotics he is ready to be discharged home with oral antibiotics.
His hemoglobin at admission was 8.2 and on admission his anemia was found to be due to CKD. On the day of discharge he is able to climb 2 flights of stairs without dyspnea or CP. On the day of discharge his Hgb is 7.6. His vital signs are temp (36.5 C), HR is 70, BP 120/80, RR 20, 95% on RA.

3. Which of the following is the best approach in treating his anemia?
Transfuse 2 units PRBC
Transfuse to goal Hg >10
Recheck Hg/Hct
Discharge patent and have PCP follow-up CBC

4. Which of the following is the best approach in treating his anemia?
Transfuse 2 units PRBC
Transfuse to goal Hg >10
Recheck Hg/Hct
Discharge patient and have PCP follow-up CBC
We will go over this question again at the end of this lecture.

5. Objectives
Know when pRBC blood transfusion is indicated
Know when pRBC blood transfusion is not indicated
Know some of the basic risks of blood transfusion

6. Goals of blood transfusion
Increase oxygen delivery to tissues
Relieve symptomatic anemia

7. Basics principles
Decision should not be based on only hemoglobin value. Think of the whole clinical picture
-Remember the patient is more than just a number
1 unit of pRBC will usually increase Hgb by 1
American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) guidelines should be used in guiding decision when to transfuse

8. Current guidelines for when to transfuse blood(American Association of Blood Banks, 2012)
Hgb < 6 – Transfusion recommended
Hgb 6-7 – Transfusion likely recommended
Hgb 7-8 – Restrictive Transfusion Strategy for stable patients (Strong recommendation).
Consider transfusion only if post-operative or symptomatic (chest pain, orthostatic hypotension or tachycardia unresponsive to fluid resuscitation, or congestive heart failure).
Guidelines were established after meta-analysis. Of note reference:
Carson et al. “Mortality and morbidity in patients with very low postoperative Hb levels who decline blood transfusion.” Transfusion 2002 Mortality
Hgb 7.1 to 8.0 (n = 99) — zero percent
Hgb 5.1 to 7.0 (n = 110) — 9 percent
Hgb 3.1 to 5.0 (n = 60) — 30 percent
Hgb ≤3.0 (n = 31) — 64 percent
This study showed that patients can survive with Hgb < 5.

9. When NOT to transfuse blood
Hgb 8 – 10 – TRANSFUSION GENERALLY NOT INDICATED
-Exceptions to consider transfusing
ACS w/ active ischemia
symptomatic anemia
active bleeding
critical ill septic shock with ScVO2<70 (although this is now considered controversial)
Hgb >10 – TRANSFUSION NOT INDICATED

10. Risks of Blood Transfusion
Transfusion-transmitted pathogens (HIV, HBV, HCV, CMV, bacteria, parasites)
Allergic and Immunologic Reactions
Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload (TACO)
Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)
Electrolyte abnormalities, hyperkalemia, citrate toxicity (metabolic alkalosis or ionized hypocalcemia)
TRALI is a development of acute lung injury or ARDS within 6 hours of transfusion. Typically characterized by SOB, Hypoxia, and bilateral patchy infiltrates on CXR. More likely to have hypotension.
TACO is development of acute pulmonary edema with transfusion. Typically begins near end of transfusion or within 6 hours. Headache common. Typically presents with SOB, Hypoxia, and tachycardia. More likely to have hypertension.

11. Risks of Blood Transfusion
Of note risk of getting HIV is smaller than getting into a motor vehicle accident.
ref: Blood Transfusion - When to Transfuse and Risks involved. John Zhang. UCI Mini-Lectures2013

12. Case
A 67 y/o male w/ h/o CAD s/p CABG, CKD stage III, HTN, HLD, DM is admitted for community acquired pneumonia. After 3x days of inpatient treatment with IV antibiotics he is ready to be discharged home with oral antibiotics.
His hemoglobin at admission was 8.2 and on admission his anemia was found to be due to CKD. On the day of discharge he is able to climb 2 flights of stairs without dyspnea or CP. On the day of discharge his Hgb is 7.6. His vital signs are temp (36.5 C), HR is 70, BP 120/80, RR 20, 95% on RA.

13. Which of the following is the best approach in treating his anemia?
Transfuse 2 units PRBC
Transfuse to goal Hg >10
Recheck Hg/Hct
Discharge patent and have PCP follow-up CBC

14. Which of the following is the best approach in treating his anemia?
Transfuse 2 units PRBC
Transfuse to goal Hg >10
Recheck Hg/Hct
Discharge patient and have PCP follow-up CBC

15. Explanation
Answer: D - discharge patient and have PCP follow up CBC
The patient currently has asymptomatic anemia with a decrease in Hgb. This was most likely cause by repeat blood draws during his hospitalization. He has CAD but no chest pain or clinical signs of ACS.
Since he is asymptomatic with no chest pain, dyspnea on exertion, or fatigue blood transfusion is not indicated in this patient at this time according to current AABB.

16. Summary
Evaluate patient’s complete clinical status before ordering transfusion.
Generally avoid transfusion for Hgb above 7 in stable patients without active cardiovascular disease or active bleeding.
Fever and TACO are the most common complications occurring about 1 in 100 transfusions.

17. References
“RedBlood Cell Transfusion: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the AABB” Ann Intern Med. 2012;157:49-58
Carson et al. “Mortality and morbidity in patients with very low postoperative Hb levels who decline blood transfusion.” Transfusion 2002
Blood Transfusion - When to Transfuse and Risks involved. John Zhang. UCI Mini-Lectures2013
Wang JK, Klein HG. Red blood cell transfusion in the treatment and management of anaemia: the search for the elusive transfusion trigger. Vox Sang Jan;98(1):2-11.