Blood transfusions affect genetics. The variety of these periods indicates the inaccuracy of previously used methods for determining the viability of transfused red blood cells. They must be strictly taken into account when determining indications for various transfusion methods.

French doctor Jean-Baptiste Denis famous for being personal doctor King Louis XIV, and with his discovery - it was he who, on June 15, 1667, performed the first documented blood transfusion to a person. Denis transfused just over 300 ml of sheep blood into a 15-year-old boy, who subsequently survived. Later, the scientist performed another transfusion, and the patient also survived. Denis later received a blood transfusion Swedish Baron Gustav Bond, but he died. According to one version, the first patients survived thanks to a small amount of blood transfusion. After another patient died, Denis was accused of murder, but even after receiving the acquittal, the doctor left medical practice.

However, although blood transfusion experiments continued, carrying out the procedure without fatal complications became possible only after the discovery of blood groups in 1901 and the Rh factor in 1940.

Today, practically no whole blood is transfused, but only its components, for example, packed red blood cells (red blood cell suspensions), fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrate and buffy cells.

The procedure itself is called blood transfusion.

Indications

The most common indication for transfusion is blood loss. Acute loss is defined as the patient losing more than 30% of their blood volume within a couple of hours. In addition, among absolute readings to blood transfusion - state of shock, incessant bleeding, severe anemia, surgical interventions.

Frequent indications for transfusion of blood components are anemia, hematological diseases, purulent-septic diseases, severe toxicosis, acute intoxication.

Contraindications

Blood transfusion was and remains an extremely risky procedure. Blood transfusion may cause serious violations vital important processes, therefore, even if there are indications for this procedure, doctors always consider the presence or absence of contraindications, including heart failure due to defects, myocarditis, cardiosclerosis, purulent inflammation inner lining of the heart, third stage hypertension, impaired blood flow to the brain, general disorder protein metabolism, allergic condition and other diseases.

There is such a thing as “blood doping,” otherwise known as autohemotransfusion. In this procedure, the recipient is transfused with his own blood. This is a fairly common technique in sports, but official structures equate it to the use of doping. “Blood doping” accelerates the delivery of oxygen to the muscles, increasing their performance.

Information about previous transfusions, if any, plays a big role. Also at risk include women who have experienced difficult childbirth, miscarriages or the birth of children with jaundice, and patients with cancerous tumors, blood pathologies, prolonged septic processes.

Often, when there are absolute indications for blood transfusion, the procedure is performed despite contraindications, but at the same time it is organized preventive actions, for example, to prevent an allergic reaction. Sometimes, during surgical operations, the patient's own blood is used in advance.

Technology

Before a blood transfusion, the patient must be checked for contraindications, the blood type and Rh factor are checked again, and the donor’s blood is tested for individual compatibility. After this, a biological test is performed - the patient is injected with 25-30 ml of donor blood and the patient’s condition is monitored. If the patient feels well, then the blood is considered compatible and blood transfusion is performed at a rate of 40-60 drops per minute.

After transfusion of incompatible blood, complications can arise, almost all body systems fail. For example, kidney and liver function may be impaired, metabolic processes, activities gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and central nervous systems, breathing, hematopoiesis.

In 1926, the world's first blood transfusion institute was organized in Moscow (today it is the Hematological science Center RAMS), a special blood service was created.

Direct blood transfusion, directly from a donor to a patient, is currently practically prohibited due to the danger of contracting AIDS and hepatitis and is carried out only in particularly extreme situations.

In addition, transfusions are completely prohibited. donated blood and its components not tested for AIDS, hepatitis B surface antigen and syphilis.

And contrary to popular belief, ambulances never give blood transfusions.

All materials on the site were prepared by specialists in the field of surgery, anatomy and related disciplines.
All recommendations are indicative in nature and are not applicable without consulting a doctor.

Many people take blood transfusions quite lightly. It would seem that there could be danger in taking blood that matches the blood group and other indicators. healthy person and pour it into the patient? Meanwhile, this procedure is not as simple as it might seem. Nowadays, it is also accompanied by a number of complications and adverse consequences, and therefore requires increased attention from a doctor.

The first attempts to transfuse blood to a patient were made back in the 17th century, but only two managed to survive. The knowledge and development of medicine in the Middle Ages did not make it possible to select blood suitable for transfusion, which inevitably led to the death of people.

Attempts to transfuse someone else's blood have become successful only since the beginning of the last century thanks to the discovery of blood groups and the Rh factor, which determine the compatibility of the donor and recipient. The practice of administering whole blood has now been practically abandoned in favor of transfusion of its individual components, which is safer and more effective.

The first blood transfusion institute was organized in Moscow in 1926. Transfusion service today is the most important unit in medicine. In the work of oncologists, oncohematologists, and surgeons, blood transfusion is an integral component of the treatment of seriously ill patients.

The success of blood transfusion is entirely determined by the careful assessment of indications and the sequence of implementation of all stages by a specialist in the field of transfusiology. Modern medicine has made blood transfusion the safest and most common procedure possible, but complications still occur, and death is no exception to the rule.

The cause of errors and negative consequences for the recipient it may become low level knowledge in the field of transfusiology on the part of the doctor, violation of the surgical technique, incorrect assessment of indications and risks, erroneous determination of group and Rh affiliation, as well as individual compatibility of the patient and the donor for a number of antigens.

It is clear that any operation carries a risk that does not depend on the qualifications of the doctor, force majeure circumstances in medicine have not been canceled, but, nevertheless, the personnel involved in the transfusion, starting from the moment of determining the donor’s blood type and ending with the infusion itself, must be very approach each of your actions responsibly, avoiding a superficial attitude to work, haste and, especially, a lack of sufficient knowledge even in the seemingly most insignificant aspects of transfusiology.

Indications and contraindications for blood transfusion

To many people, a blood transfusion resembles a simple infusion, just as it happens when administering saline or medications. Meanwhile, blood transfusion is, without exaggeration, a transplantation of living tissue containing many heterogeneous cellular elements carrying foreign antigens, free proteins and other molecules. No matter how well the donor’s blood is selected, it will still not be identical to the recipient, so there is always a risk, and the doctor’s first priority is to make sure that a transfusion is not necessary.

When determining indications for blood transfusion, a specialist must be sure that other treatment methods have exhausted their effectiveness. When there is even the slightest doubt that the procedure will be useful, it should be abandoned completely.

The goals pursued during transfusion are to replenish lost blood during bleeding or to increase coagulation due to donor factors and proteins.

The absolute indications are:

  1. Severe acute blood loss;
  2. Shock conditions;
  3. Bleeding that doesn't stop;
  4. Severe anemia;
  5. Planning surgical interventions, accompanied by blood loss, and also requiring the use of equipment for artificial circulation.

Relative indications The procedure may lead to anemia, poisoning, hematological diseases, and sepsis.

Establishment contraindications - the most important stage in planning blood transfusion, on which the success of treatment and consequences depend. Obstacles are considered:

  • Decompensated heart failure (with inflammation of the myocardium, coronary disease, vices, etc.);
  • Bacterial endocarditis;
  • Arterial hypertension of the third stage;
  • Strokes;
  • Thromboembolic syndrome;
  • Pulmonary edema;
  • Acute glomerulonephritis;
  • Severe liver and kidney failure;
  • Allergies;
  • Generalized amyloidosis;
  • Bronchial asthma.

The physician planning a blood transfusion should obtain detailed information about allergies from the patient, whether transfusions of blood or its components were previously prescribed, how you felt after them. In accordance with these circumstances, a group of recipients with elevated transfusiological risk. Among them:

  1. Persons with previous transfusions, especially if they occurred with adverse reactions;
  2. Women with a burdened obstetric history, miscarriages, who gave birth to infants with hemolytic jaundice;
  3. Patients suffering from cancer with tumor disintegration, chronic suppurative diseases, pathology of the hematopoietic system.

If there are adverse consequences from previous transfusions or a burdened obstetric history, one can think about sensitization to the Rh factor, when the potential recipient has circulating antibodies that attack “Rh” proteins, which can lead to massive hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells).

When identifying absolute indications, when administering blood is tantamount to saving life, some contraindications have to be sacrificed. In this case, it is more correct to use individual blood components (for example, washed red blood cells), and it is also necessary to ensure measures to prevent complications.

If you are prone to allergies, desensitizing therapy is carried out before blood transfusion (calcium chloride, antihistamines- pipolfen, suprastin, corticosteroid hormones). The risk of an allergic reaction to someone else's blood is less if its quantity is as small as possible, the composition contains only the components that the patient lacks, and the volume of fluid is replenished with blood substitutes. Before planned operations, collecting your own blood may be recommended.

Preparation for blood transfusion and procedure technique

Blood transfusion is an operation, although not typical in the minds of the average person, because it does not involve incisions and anesthesia. The procedure is carried out only in a hospital, because there is the possibility of providing emergency care And resuscitation measures with the development of complications.

Before the planned blood transfusion, the patient is carefully examined for pathology of the heart and blood vessels, kidney and liver function, and the state of the respiratory system to exclude possible contraindications. Blood group and Rh status must be determined, even if the patient knows them for sure or they have already been determined somewhere before. The price of a mistake can be life, so clarifying these parameters again - required condition transfusion.

A couple of days before the blood transfusion, a general blood test is performed, and before it the patient should cleanse the intestines and bladder. The procedure is usually prescribed in the morning before meals or after a light breakfast. The operation itself is not big technical complexity. To carry it out, the saphenous veins of the arms are punctured; for long transfusions, large veins (jugular, subclavian) are used, in emergency situations- arteries, where other fluids are also injected, replenishing the volume of contents in the vascular bed. All preparatory measures, starting from establishing the blood type, the suitability of the transfused liquid, calculating its quantity, composition - one of the most critical stages of transfusion.

Based on the nature of the goal being pursued, the following are distinguished:

  • Intravenous (intraarterial, intraosseous) administration transfusion media;
  • Exchange transfusion- in case of intoxication, destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis), acute renal failure they replace part of the victim’s blood with donor blood;
  • Autohemotransfusion- infusion of one’s own blood, removed during bleeding, from cavities, and then purified and preserved. Suitable for rare group, difficulties with donor selection, previous transfusion complications.

blood transfusion procedure

For blood transfusions, disposable plastic systems with special filters are used to prevent the penetration of blood clots into the recipient's vessels. If the blood was stored in a polymer bag, then it will be poured from it using a disposable dropper.

The contents of the container are carefully mixed, a clamp is applied to the outlet tube and cut off, having previously been treated with an antiseptic solution. Then connect the bag tube to the drip system, fix the blood container vertically and fill the system, making sure that no air bubbles form in it. When blood appears at the tip of the needle, it will be taken to control the group and compatibility.

After puncturing the vein or connecting the venous catheter to the end of the drip system, the actual transfusion begins, which requires careful monitoring of the patient. First, approximately 20 ml of the drug is administered, then the procedure is suspended for a few minutes to exclude an individual reaction to the injected mixture.

Alarming symptoms indicating intolerance to the blood of the donor and recipient in terms of antigenic composition will be shortness of breath, tachycardia, redness of the facial skin, decreased blood pressure. When they appear, the blood transfusion is immediately stopped and the patient is given the necessary medical care.

If similar symptoms does not occur, the test is repeated two more times to ensure that there is no incompatibility. When wellness the recipient of the transfusion can be considered safe.

The rate of blood transfusion depends on the indications. Both drip administration at a rate of about 60 drops every minute and jet administration are allowed. During blood transfusion, the needle may become clotted. Under no circumstances should a clot be pushed into the patient’s vein; the procedure should be stopped, the needle removed from the vessel, replaced with a new one, and another vein punctured, after which blood injection can be continued.

When almost all the donor blood has reached the recipient, a small amount is left in the container, which is stored for two days in the refrigerator. If during this time the recipient develops any complications, the left drug will be used to clarify their cause.

All information about the transfusion must be recorded in the medical history - the amount of liquid used, the composition of the drug, the date, time of the procedure, the result of compatibility tests, the patient’s well-being. Information about the blood transfusion drug is on the label of the container, so most often these labels are pasted into the medical history, specifying the date, time and well-being of the recipient.

After the operation, you must observe for several hours bed rest, every hour for the first 4 hours, body temperature is monitored and pulse is determined. The next day they take general tests blood and urine.

Any deviation in the recipient’s well-being may indicate post-transfusion reactions, Therefore, the staff carefully monitors the complaints, behavior and appearance of patients. When the pulse accelerates, sudden hypotension, pain in chest, fever is highly likely negative reaction for transfusion or complications. Normal temperature in the first four hours of observation after the procedure - evidence that the manipulation was performed successfully and without complications.

Transfusion media and drugs

For administration as transfusion media the following can be used:

  1. Whole blood - very rare;
  2. Frozen red blood cells and EMOLT (erythrocyte mass depleted of leukocytes and platelets);
  3. Leukocyte mass;
  4. Platelet mass (stored for three days, requires careful selection of a donor, preferably based on HLA antigens);
  5. Fresh frozen and medicinal types of plasma (anti-staphylococcal, anti-burn, anti-tetanus);
  6. Preparations of individual coagulation factors and proteins (albumin, cryoprecipitate, fibrinostat).

It is not advisable to administer whole blood due to its high consumption and high risk transfusion reactions. In addition, when a patient needs a strictly defined blood component, there is no point in “loading” him with additional foreign cells and fluid volume.

If a person suffering from hemophilia needs the missing coagulation factor VIII, then to obtain the required amount it will be necessary to administer not one liter of whole blood, but a concentrated preparation of the factor - this is only a few milliliters of liquid. To replenish fibrinogen protein, even more whole blood is required - about ten liters, but ready-made protein preparation contains the required 10-12 grams per minimum volume liquids.

In case of anemia, the patient needs, first of all, red blood cells; in case of coagulation disorders, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia - individual factors, platelets, proteins, therefore it is more effective and correct to use concentrated preparations of individual cells, proteins, plasma, etc.

It is not just the amount of whole blood that a recipient may unreasonably receive that plays a role. A much greater risk is posed by numerous antigenic components that can cause a severe reaction upon first administration, repeated transfusion, or pregnancy even after a long period of time. It is this circumstance that forces transfusiologists to abandon whole blood in favor of its components.

It is allowed to use whole blood during open-heart interventions under extracorporeal circulation conditions, in in case of emergency at severe blood loss and shocks, during exchange transfusions.

compatibility of blood groups during transfusion

For blood transfusions, single-group blood is taken that matches the Rh group with those of its recipient. In exceptional cases, you can use group I in a volume not exceeding half a liter, or 1 liter of washed red blood cells. In emergency situations, when there is no suitable blood group, a patient with group IV can be given any other with a suitable Rh (universal recipient).

Before the start of blood transfusion, the suitability of the drug for administration to the recipient is always determined - the period and compliance with storage conditions, the tightness of the container, appearance liquids. In the presence of flakes, additional impurities, hemolysis, films on the surface of the plasma, blood clots, the drug should not be used. At the beginning of the operation, the specialist is obliged to once again check the match of the group and Rh factor of both participants in the procedure, especially if it is known that the recipient has had adverse consequences from transfusion, miscarriages or Rh-conflict during pregnancy in women.

Complications after blood transfusion

In general, blood transfusion is considered safe procedure, but only when the technique and sequence of actions are not violated, the indications are clearly defined and the correct transfusion medium is selected. If there are errors at any stage of blood transfusion therapy, individual characteristics the recipient may experience post-transfusion reactions and complications.

Violation of the manipulation technique can lead to embolism and thrombosis. The entry of air into the lumen of the vessels is fraught with air embolism with symptoms of respiratory failure, cyanosis of the skin, chest pain, and a drop in pressure, which requires resuscitation measures.

Thromboembolism can be a consequence of both the formation of clots in the transfused fluid and thrombosis at the site of drug administration. Small blood clots are usually destroyed, and large ones can lead to thromboembolism of the branches pulmonary artery. Massive pulmonary embolism is deadly and requires immediate medical attention, preferably in intensive care.

Post-transfusion reactions- a natural consequence of the introduction of foreign tissue. They rarely pose a threat to life and can result in an allergy to the components of the transfused drug or in pyrogenic reactions.

Post-transfusion reactions are manifested by fever, weakness, itching of the skin, headaches, and swelling are possible. Pyrogenic reactions account for almost half of all the consequences of transfusion and are associated with the entry of decaying proteins and cells into the recipient’s bloodstream. They are accompanied by fever, muscle pain, chills, bluish skin, and increased heart rate. Allergies are usually observed with repeated blood transfusions and require the use of antihistamines.

Post-transfusion complications can be quite severe and even fatal. The most dangerous complication is the entry into the recipient’s bloodstream of blood incompatible by group and Rh. In this case, hemolysis (destruction) of red blood cells and shock with symptoms of failure of many organs - kidneys, liver, brain, heart - are inevitable.

The main causes of transfusion shock are considered to be physician errors when determining compatibility or violation of blood transfusion rules, which once again indicates the need for increased attention of personnel at all stages of preparation and conduct of the transfusion operation.

Signs blood transfusion shock may appear immediately, at the beginning of the administration of blood products, or several hours after the procedure. Its symptoms are pallor and cyanosis, severe tachycardia against the background of hypotension, anxiety, chills, and abdominal pain. Cases of shock require emergency medical attention.

Bacterial complications and infection (HIV, hepatitis) are very rare, although they are not completely excluded. The risk of contracting an infection is minimal due to the quarantine storage of transfusion media for six months, as well as careful monitoring of its sterility at all stages of procurement.

Among more rare complications - massive blood transfusion syndrome with the introduction of 2-3 liters in a short period of time. The ingestion of a significant volume of foreign blood may result in nitrate or citrate intoxication, an increase in potassium in the blood, which can lead to arrhythmias. If blood from multiple donors is used, then incompatibility with the development of homologous blood syndrome cannot be ruled out.

To avoid negative consequences, it is important to follow the technique and all stages of the operation, and also strive to use as little blood as possible and its preparations. When the minimum value of one or another impaired indicator is reached, one should proceed to replenishing the blood volume using colloid and crystalloid solutions, which is also effective, but safer.

Video: blood groups and blood transfusion

American medical association reports that blood transfusions may do more harm than good!

Why then do many doctors still continue to give transfusions?

The old adage is, “If you want something done right, do it yourself,” but it's hard to apply to medicine. Most of us need to rely on experts.
However, it is your body: you must understand what is happening inside it, so if emergency you can make informed decisions, even if those decisions go against what the experts tell you. And if you learn to speak intellectual level with experts, they are more likely to listen to you.

Take a few minutes to concentrate on this article and then you will understand your wonderful and complex system blood.

My head still hurts from all this research. But in this article, I am going to try to simply explain and analyze the benefits and harms of blood transfusions.

The main justification for giving a blood transfusion is that the blood can carry oxygen.
Many doctors suggest a transfusion, because someone else's blood, as they say, will increase the ability to carry oxygen.

But this is a misconception! Why? Let's start in order.
Blood has four main components:
Red blood cells
Leukocytes (white blood cells),
Platelets
Plasma

The blood that was in the container will essentially be a little help, because it isolates these four components.
It turns out that the “Hematocrit”, that is, this combination of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, settles in the lower third of the container, leaving the upper two thirds of the plasma.

And 97% of oxygen is carried by red blood cells.
Unlike all other cells, red blood cells can reproduce themselves. They are produced in bone marrow at an astonishing rate of 2,000,000 per second. They can live in your body for about 120 days, but they have a much shorter lifespan in storage. Lacking breathing, movement and self-reproduction, red blood cells “fall asleep” and are of little help during transfusion.

Red blood cells are actually larger than your tiny capillaries. But this problem is solved and they continue to move in the smallest capillaries, thanks to the fact that your blood produces a gas called nitric oxide, which signals the capillaries to dilate.
The RBC is deformed, presses into the capillary, unloads oxygen into it and, like a spring, then returns to the spacious territory.

Storing blood for a long time changes this entire process.
First change, which occurs in stored blood, Gases that help blood components move disappear.
Nitric oxide begins to dissipate and within 4 hours, half of this gas is gone.

Red blood cells die much faster in storage.
Although blood is stored at 4 degrees Celsius to slow down its degradation, but even at this temperature, chemical changes inevitably occur.

Blood pH drops. The relationship between hemoglobin and oxygen is highly dependent on temperature and acidity.
Even those red blood cells that survive become brittle and less flexible when stored. Weakened red blood cells cannot attract oxygen and become useless for delivering it.
While your doctor may consider himself a savior, blood banking has no basis in practice.

At absence of nitric oxide, the blood actually deprives the patient of support.
Low value The pH of stored blood makes the patient's blood more acidic. Since the blood pH is outside the range of 7.35 to 7.45, it can kill as the patient's body operates at elevated blood pH.

High level of ammonia content, may lead the patient to coma.

Potassium leaks into the plasma and can stop the heart an unhealthy patient... and some patients died from this.

Being less flexible, saved red blood cells cannot be deformed and squeeze into the capillaries. Instead of this, they get stuck and accumulate at the entrances to the capillaries , causing traffic jams, clots that interfere healthy cells get valuable oxygen.

“The gap of damaged RBC reduces the therapeutic effectiveness [of blood transfusions] and adds an extra iron load to chronic patients. In addition, transfusion of damaged RBC is possible reason clinical, observed complications in transfusion therapy "-Blood Transfusion, NIH, October 8, 2010.(medical magazine Journalof Blood Transfusion)
All these medical journals say simply, if the situation is critical, don't draw blood.

Dr. Spies was right. A blood transfusion will most likely do you more harm than good and will not help you.
(Translation by translatorGoogle)
However, there are treatments that can truly help critically ill or injured patients. We will look at some advances in blood medicine in future articles.
Read in English

Donor blood transfusion has a history of almost a century. Despite the fact that this procedure is quite familiar to many people, the process of donating blood is still surrounded by numerous myths. Today we set out to debunk the most common of them.

Source: depositphotos.com

Donating blood is harmful to health

The amount of blood circulating in the body of an adult is on average 4000 ml. It has been proven that a periodic loss of 12% of a given volume not only has no effect negative influence for health, but also works as a kind of training, activating hematopoiesis and stimulating resistance to stress.

The volume of a one-time donation of donor blood does not exceed 500 ml (of which about 40 ml is taken for the purpose of testing). The body quickly replaces blood loss without any negative consequences.

The blood donation procedure is painful and tiring

Modern donor centers are equipped with everything necessary to make the person donating blood feel comfortable. Unpleasant sensations donor are reduced to instant pain at the moment of needle insertion. The further procedure is absolutely painless.

Donating whole blood takes about a quarter of an hour. After its completion, the donor may experience slight fatigue, so it is not recommended to do heavy activities on the day of the procedure. physical labor or go to long trip. Donating blood components (plasma, platelets or red blood cells) can take up to one and a half hours.

There is a risk of donor infection

Many people believe that the donor runs the risk of receiving one of dangerous infections blood-borne diseases (for example, hepatitis C virus or HIV). Currently, this is absolutely excluded: only disposable instruments and devices are used for blood collection, which are unpacked in the presence of the donor, and after the procedure they are immediately disposed of.

The need for donor blood is low

Patients undergoing complex procedures require blood transfusions. surgical operations, women in labor with complicated childbirth, people with severe injuries or burns. Donor blood and its components are used in the treatment of leukemia and other oncological diseases. Exist artificial substitutes blood and plasma, but their use has a number of contraindications, as it sometimes leads to negative side effects.

To fully provide the healthcare system required quantity blood, 40-50 people out of 1000 should be donors. In some European countries this ratio has been achieved, but in Russia this indicator is still well below normal.

According to statistics, every third person on our planet needs a blood or plasma transfusion at least once in their life. At the same time, the blood of absolutely all groups is in demand, and not just rare ones, as is sometimes believed.

Anyone can become a donor

This is far from true. In Russia you cannot become a donor:

  • under the age of 18 or over 60 years of age;
  • having a body weight of less than 50 kg;
  • being infected with hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus or tuberculosis;
  • having any blood disorders or blood diseases ( hematopoietic organs);
  • suffering from cancer.

Temporary restrictions on blood donation apply:

  • for pregnant women (blood will be accepted no earlier than one year after birth);
  • for nursing mothers (they can become donors three months after the end of lactation);
  • for women during menstruation (blood donation is allowed at least a week before the start or a week after the end);
  • for people who had the flu or acute respiratory viral infection less than a month ago;
  • for patients undergoing surgery dental intervention(at least ten days must pass);
  • for people who were treated with acupuncture less than a year ago, or who had a tattoo (piercing) of any part of the body;
  • for patients who have recently undergone vaccination (the period elapsed before donating blood depends on the type of vaccine and ranges from ten days to a year).

In addition, an exemption from donation can be obtained if tests on the day of the procedure show the presence of inflammatory process or traces of alcohol, increased body temperature, or if there are serious deviations from normal blood pressure readings. Men can donate blood no more than five times a year, and women - four times a year.

Donating blood for transfusion requires a responsible attitude. Two days before the procedure, the donor must give up alcoholic beverages. You should refrain from smoking for at least an hour before blood collection. Three days before the procedure you must stop taking medicines that reduce blood clotting (including aspirin and painkillers).

The donor should eat high-calorie foods before and after the procedure

The day before donating blood, you should not eat fatty, dairy, meat foods, eggs, smoked foods, chocolate, bananas, canned food and fast food.

It is important that the future donor does not make mistakes that could negatively affect his health. It is better to donate blood in the first half of the day. Before the procedure, you need to get a good night's sleep, have breakfast, preferring porridge or pastries and sweet tea. After donating blood, you should eat a balanced diet (at least five times a day if possible) and remember to drink plenty of fluids to replace blood loss.

Donating blood may cause weight gain

Donation itself (including regular donation) does not affect body weight in any way. There is a risk of gaining weight for those people who, having misunderstood the recommendations for nutrition, begin to intensively consume high-calorie foods to donate blood and cannot stop in time.

Donation is bad for your appearance

Some women are hesitant to donate blood, believing that this will negatively affect their complexion and skin elasticity. In fact regular donation activates the work of the hematopoietic organs, causes the blood to renew itself faster, and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune, cardiovascular and digestive systems.

Donors, as a rule, do not have problems with the tone and color of their skin. They are cheerful, fit, active and have a positive attitude.

Regular donation is addictive

About addiction in this case can only be said in the sense of the body’s increased resistance to various stresses, diseases and negative impacts external environment. Thus, regular blood donation teaches the body to quickly replenish blood loss, which can play a positive role in the event of an injury or illness from which no one is immune.

Donation has been clinically proven to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies. Some men note that regular blood donation has a positive effect on potency.

For a successful blood transfusion, the donor and recipient must be of the same nationality

The statement has nothing to do with reality. The compatibility of the donor and the recipient (the person to whom the blood is transfused) depends solely on the composition of the blood, that is, the presence or absence of certain proteins in it. For transfusion, the compatibility of blood groups (AB0 system) and Rh factor is important. These indicators are distributed almost equally among different races and ethnic groups.

With a suitable protein composition, donor blood can be transfused to the recipient regardless of gender, age or nationality.

Source: depositphotos.com

The personal qualities of the donor can be transferred to the recipient

Prejudice has very ancient roots. It is consonant with the ideas of primitive people that by eating the organs of an enemy, one can acquire his strength, courage, intelligence and other wonderful qualities. A similar misconception existed in the Middle Ages, when blood was considered to carry part of the human soul.

In fact, a blood transfusion does not add any of the donor's personal qualities or abilities to the recipient. It can only aggravate health problems if an unscrupulous donor allowed himself to donate blood without refusing bad habits. The reason here is not the transmission of information encrypted in the blood, but the fact that breakdown products of nicotine, alcohol and other toxins that can cause harm to health can enter the recipient’s bloodstream. That is why the donor must be very responsible, and medical staff- attentive.

The Church considers donation unacceptable

Donation is approved by major faiths as an act of self-sacrifice and a cause with the goal of salvation human life. Adherents of some sects who refuse blood transfusions and do not allow their children to undergo the procedure are making a huge mistake, which often leads to fatal outcome. Many authoritative representatives of Orthodox Christians consider this a direct violation of the commandment “thou shalt not kill.”

Supplies of blood and its components are necessary to save people, and the donation procedure itself is painless, safe and even healthy. The positive psychological effect of donation should not be denied: the knowledge that you are performing a selfless and noble act increases self-esteem. In the absence of contraindications, donation can only be welcomed.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

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The benefits and harms of donating blood: 12 misconceptions about donation

Donor blood transfusion has a history of almost a century. Despite the fact that this procedure is quite familiar to many people, the process of donating blood is still surrounded by numerous myths.

  • The benefits and harms of donating blood: 12 misconceptions about donation
  • Donating blood is harmful to health
  • The blood donation procedure is painful and tiring
  • There is a risk of donor infection
  • The need for donor blood is low
  • Anyone can become a donor
  • The donor should eat high-calorie foods before and after the procedure
  • Donating blood may cause weight gain
  • Donation is bad for your appearance
  • Regular donation is addictive
  • For a successful blood transfusion, the donor and recipient must be of the same nationality
  • Can be transmitted to the recipient personal qualities donor
  • The Church considers donation unacceptable
  • FAKT777NEWS - News Facts Tips
  • READ BY TOPICS (click on this text) ⇒
  • Search this blog
  • Blood transfusions may do more harm than good!

Today, medical practice cannot be imagined without blood transfusions. There are many indications for this procedure, the main objective– restoration of the lost blood volume to the patient, necessary for normal functioning of the body. Despite the fact that it belongs to the category of vital manipulations, doctors try not to resort to it for as long as possible. The reason is that complications during transfusion of blood and its components are common, the consequences of which for the body can be very serious.

The main indication for blood transfusion is acute blood loss - a condition when the patient loses more than 30% of his blood volume in a few hours. This procedure is also used if there is unstoppable bleeding, a state of shock, anemia, hematological, purulent-septic diseases, or massive surgical interventions.

The blood infusion stabilizes the patient, and the recovery process after a blood transfusion is much faster.

Post-transfusion complications

Post-transfusion complications during transfusion of blood and its components are common; this procedure is very risky and requires careful preparation. Side effects arise due to non-compliance with the rules of blood transfusion, as well as individual intolerance.

All complications are divided into two groups. The first includes the pyrogenic reaction, citrate and potassium intoxication, anaphylaxis, bacterial shock, allergies. The second includes pathologies caused by incompatibility between the donor and recipient groups, such as blood transfusion shock, respiratory distress syndrome, renal failure, and coagulopathy.

Allergic reaction

Allergic reactions are the most common after blood transfusion. They are characterized by the following symptoms:

  • skin rash;
  • attacks of suffocation;
  • Quincke's edema;
  • nausea;
  • vomit.

Allergies are provoked by individual intolerance to one of the components or sensitization to plasma proteins infused earlier.

Pyrogenic reactions

A pyrogenic reaction may occur within half an hour after infusion of the drugs. The recipient develops general weakness, fever, chills, headache, myalgia.

The cause of this complication is the ingress of pyrogenic substances along with transfused media; they appear due to improper preparation of systems for transfusion. The use of disposable kits significantly reduces these reactions.

Citrate and potassium intoxication

Citrate intoxication occurs due to exposure of the body to sodium citrate, which is a preservative for hematological drugs. Most often it manifests itself during jet injection. Symptoms of this pathology are a decrease in blood pressure, changes in the electrocardiogram, clonic seizures, breathing disorders, up to apnea.

Potassium intoxication occurs when a large volume of drugs is administered that have been stored for more than two weeks. During storage, potassium levels in transfusion media increase significantly. This condition is characterized by lethargy, possible nausea with vomiting, bradycardia with arrhythmia, up to cardiac arrest.

To prevent these complications, before massive blood transfusion, the patient needs to be administered a 10% calcium chloride solution. It is recommended to pour in ingredients that were prepared no more than ten days ago.

Blood transfusion shock

Hemotransfusion shock is an acute reaction to a blood transfusion that occurs due to incompatibility between the donor and recipient groups. Clinical symptoms of shock may occur immediately or within 10-20 minutes after the start of the infusion.

This condition is characterized arterial hypotension, tachycardia, shortness of breath, agitation, redness of the skin, lower back pain. Post-transfusion complications during blood transfusion also affect organs of cardio-vascular system: acute expansion of the heart, myocardial infarction develops, cardiac arrest. Long-term consequences such infusion is renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, jaundice, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, coagulopathy.

There are three degrees of shock as complications after blood transfusion:

  • mild is characterized low blood pressure up to 90 mm Hg st;
  • average: systolic pressure decreases to 80 mmHg. st;
  • severe - blood pressure drops to 70 mm Hg. Art.

At the first signs of transfusion shock, the infusion should be stopped immediately and medical assistance should be provided.

Respiratory distress syndrome

The development of post-transfusion complications and their severity can be unpredictable, even threatening the patient’s life. One of the most dangerous is the development respiratory distress syndrome. This condition is characterized acute disorder respiratory function.

The cause of the pathology may be the administration of incompatible drugs or non-compliance with the red blood cell infusion technique. As a result, the recipient's blood clotting is impaired; it begins to penetrate the walls of blood vessels, filling the cavities of the lungs and other parenchymal organs.

Symptomatically: the patient feels shortness of breath, the heart rate increases, pulmonary shock develops, oxygen starvation. During the examination, the doctor cannot listen to the affected part of the organ; on an x-ray, the pathology looks like a dark spot.

Coagulopathy

Among all the complications that appear after blood transfusion, not last place occupies coagulopathy. This condition is characterized by a clotting disorder, resulting in a syndrome massive blood loss With severe complication for the body.

The reason lies in the rapid increase in acute intravascular hemolysis, which occurs as a result of non-compliance with the rules for infusion of red blood cells or transfusion of different types of blood. With a volumetric infusion of red cells alone, the ratio of platelets responsible for coagulation is significantly reduced. As a result, the blood does not clot, and the walls of the blood vessels become thinner and more penetrating.

Kidney failure

One of the most severe complications after blood transfusion is acute renal failure syndrome, the clinical symptoms of which can be divided into three degrees: mild, moderate and severe.

The first signs pointing to it are strong pain V lumbar region, hyperthermia, chills. Next, the patient begins

red urine is released, which indicates the presence of blood, then oliguria appears. Later, the “shock kidney” condition occurs, it is characterized by complete absence patient's urine. IN biochemical research such a patient will have a sharp increase in urea levels.

Anaphylactic shock

Anaphylactic shock is the most serious condition among allergic diseases. The cause of the appearance is the products included in the canned blood.

The first symptoms appear instantly, and immediately after the start of the infusion. Anaphylaxis is characterized by shortness of breath, suffocation, rapid pulse, drop in blood pressure, weakness, dizziness, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest. The condition never occurs with high blood pressure.

Along with pyrogenic and allergic reactions, shock is life-threatening for the patient. Failure to provide assistance in a timely manner can lead to death.

Transfusion of incompatible blood

The most life-threatening consequences for the patient are the consequences of transfused blood of different types. The first signs indicating the onset of a reaction are weakness, dizziness, increased temperature, decreased blood pressure, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and lower back pain.

In the future, the patient may develop myocardial infarction, renal and respiratory failure, hemorrhagic syndrome followed by massive bleeding. All these conditions require immediate response from medical staff and assistance. IN otherwise the patient may die.

Treatment of post-transfusion complications

After the first signs of post-transfusion complications appear, it is necessary to stop blood transfusion. Medical care and treatment are individual for each pathology, it all depends on which organs and systems are involved. Hemotransfusion, anaphylactic shock, acute respiratory and renal failure require hospitalization of the patient in the intensive care unit.

At different allergic reactions used for treatment antihistamines, in particular:

  • Suprastin;
  • Tavegil;
  • Diphenhydramine.

Solution calcium chloride, glucose with insulin, sodium chloride - these drugs are the first aid for potassium and citrate intoxication.

As for cardiovascular drugs, Strofanthin, Korglykon, Norepinephrine, Furosemide are used. In case of renal failure, an emergency hemodialysis session is performed.

Impaired respiratory function requires provision of oxygen supply, administration of euphilin, severe cases– connection to a ventilator.

Prevention of complications during blood transfusion

Prevention of post-transfusion complications consists of strict compliance with all norms. The transfusion procedure must be carried out by a transfusiologist.

Concerning general rules, this includes compliance with all standards for the preparation, storage, and transportation of drugs. It is imperative to conduct an analysis to detect severe viral infections transmitted by hematological routes.

The most difficult complications that threaten the patient’s life are those caused by incompatibility of the transfused blood. To avoid similar situations, you need to adhere to the preparation plan for the procedure.

The first thing the doctor does is determine group affiliation patient, orders the right drug. Upon receipt, you must carefully inspect the packaging for damage and the label, which indicates the date of preparation, shelf life, and patient information. If the packaging does not cause suspicion, the next step should be to determine the group and Rhesus of the donor; this is necessary for reinsurance, since it is possible misdiagnosis at the fence stage.

After this, an individual compatibility test is carried out. To do this, the patient's serum is mixed with the donor's blood. If all checks have passed positively, they begin the transfusion procedure itself, making sure to conduct a biological test with each individual bottle of blood.

In case of massive blood transfusions, it is impossible to resort to jet infusion methods; it is advisable to use drugs that are stored for no more than 10 days; it is necessary to alternate the administration of red blood cells with plasma. If the technique is violated, complications are possible. If all standards are followed, the blood transfusion will be successful and the patient’s condition will improve significantly.