In general, red blood cell transfusions are most often used for patients with acute blood loss, such as victims of trauma or for patients with certain types of chronic disease.
Prior to the introduction of erythropoietic proteins, regular blood transfusions were the mainstay of treating the anemia of chronic kidney disease.27
The use of red blood cell transfusions in patients with renal disease has decreased, except for patients with very severe symptoms of anemia.2 Current Canadian guidelines recommend that where appropriate, a treatment other than red blood cell transfusion be used.28
A wide range of potential side effects and hazards are associated with the transfusion of red blood cells.
One of the most serious potential side effects is a hemolytic transfusion reaction, which occur when a patient's immune system destroys transfused red blood cells.29
The administration of many red blood cell transfusions over a prolonged period will eventually lead to iron overload.28 In addition, repeated blood transfusions in patients receiving dialysis often lead to complications that affect the function of the liver, bone, heart and muscle.22
| Potential Side Effects Associated With Red Blood Cell Transfusion28 |
| Immune system reactions | | Iron overload |
| Metabolic complications (e.g., excess potassium in the blood) | Transmission of viral or bacterial diseases (e.g., hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, or bacterial infections). |
In certain patients who have received blood transfusions it can be more difficult to find a good match for a kidney transplant. This is because transfused blood can cause the patient's immune system to become sensitized, producing antibodies that may lead to rejection of the transplanted organ.30, 31
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