What is the universal donor?
Why?
O-
Polysaccharide structure - everyone has the ‘O’ part, not everyone has the A and B parts
What is the universal recipient?
Why?
AB
Have both A and B antigens (IgM)
What is RhesusD?
Why is it a problem in pregnancy?
Protein - can cross the placenta (IgM can’t)
How many ml is 1 unit of blood?
4-500ml
What is in a unit of RBCs?
RBCs, glucose, adenosine, citrates (to prevent clotting) Low pH (6.8), as RBCs produce lactate
How long does it take to transfuse?
Usually over 2-3 hours, but in an emergency, as fast as poss! so around 5 mins per unit
What could massive trasfusion lead to (3 things)
Hyperkalaemia
Hypocalcaemia (citrates chelate calcium)
Acidaemia
Give 6 complications of transfusion
Fluid overload Acute haemolytic reaction TRALI (transfusion-related lung injury) BBV (HIV, hep B and C, CMV) Bacteraemia Iron overload Febrile reaction