Vishesh Chhibber1, Mindy Greene, Michelle Vauthrin, Jeff Bailey, Robert Weinstein. 1. Division of Transfusion Medicine, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts; Department of Medicine, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts; Department of Pathology, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts; Transfusion Medicine Service, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Group AB plasma, which lacks anti-A and anti-B isohemagglutinins, is issued for emergency transfusion when a patient's ABO group is unknown, but the relative scarcity of group AB blood donors limits its availability. We sought to establish a thawed plasma inventory to improve the rapid availability of plasma in the emergency release setting but were concerned about potential wastage of group AB plasma. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Recognizing that plasma-incompatible apheresis platelets are routinely transfused and only rarely result in hemolytic reactions if the donor is blood group O, and considering that group A plasma would be compatible with approximately 85% of our patient population, we instituted an emergency release policy whereby thawed group A plasma is issued to all patients of unknown blood group or if compatible plasma is not available. ABO-compatible plasma is then issued, if needed, once the patient's blood group is determined. We prospectively assessed the outcomes of all patients who received incompatible plasma under our policy. RESULTS: During the first 5 years under this policy, 385 emergency release requests for plasma were received by our blood bank. Among them, 23 group B or AB patients met criteria for receiving a median of 2 units of incompatible group A plasma. No hemolytic transfusion reactions or other adverse events related to transfusion were seen in any of these 23 patients. CONCLUSION: We propose that group A plasma may be an acceptable alternative to AB plasma as the first option in the emergency release setting.
BACKGROUND: Group AB plasma, which lacks anti-A and anti-B isohemagglutinins, is issued for emergency transfusion when a patient's ABO group is unknown, but the relative scarcity of group AB blood donors limits its availability. We sought to establish a thawed plasma inventory to improve the rapid availability of plasma in the emergency release setting but were concerned about potential wastage of group AB plasma. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Recognizing that plasma-incompatible apheresis platelets are routinely transfused and only rarely result in hemolytic reactions if the donor is blood group O, and considering that group A plasma would be compatible with approximately 85% of our patient population, we instituted an emergency release policy whereby thawed group A plasma is issued to all patients of unknown blood group or if compatible plasma is not available. ABO-compatible plasma is then issued, if needed, once the patient's blood group is determined. We prospectively assessed the outcomes of all patients who received incompatible plasma under our policy. RESULTS: During the first 5 years under this policy, 385 emergency release requests for plasma were received by our blood bank. Among them, 23 group B or AB patients met criteria for receiving a median of 2 units of incompatible group A plasma. No hemolytic transfusion reactions or other adverse events related to transfusion were seen in any of these 23 patients. CONCLUSION: We propose that group A plasma may be an acceptable alternative to AB plasma as the first option in the emergency release setting.
Authors: Michael P Chapman; Ernest E Moore; Theresa L Chin; Arsen Ghasabyan; James Chandler; John Stringham; Eduardo Gonzalez; Hunter B Moore; Anirban Banerjee; Christopher C Silliman; Angela Sauaia Journal: Shock Date: 2015-08 Impact factor: 3.454
Authors: Martin D Zielinski; Jason J Schrager; Pamela Johnson; James R Stubbs; Stephanie Polites; Scott P Zietlow; Donald H Jenkins; Bryce R H Robinson Journal: Clin Transl Sci Date: 2014-09-09 Impact factor: 4.689