Receiving a Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusions are given to replace blood lost through excessive bleeding (such as from trauma or surgery) and to provide the body with red blood cells or platelets if the bone marrow is impaired (as in leukemia) and not able to provide adequate blood cells. If you have a disease that causes anemia or malformed red blood cells, such as sickle cell disease, you might also need blood transfusions. You can receive whole blood, but usually blood is separated into different components--cell types and plasma (the liquid portion)--so you receive only the part you need.

Typing

• Before you receive a transfusion, the laboratory must type your blood to determine if you have blood type A, B, AB or O. If you receive a blood type that doesn't match your own, it could cause a life-threatening reaction when antibodies in your blood attack the donor's blood. If you have AB type blood, you are a "universal recipient" and can receive AB, A or B blood if necessary. The laboratory also checks your blood for the rhesus (Rh) factor to determine if you have it (positive) or not (negative) because the donor's blood must match your Rh type as well. A few people have very rare blood types, and finding a compatible blood donor for them can be very difficult.

Administration

• Blood transfusions are given intravenously through a large plastic catheter (tube) or needle so that the blood doesn't clot or block the needle. Because blood is refrigerated, it is warmed by a special blood warmer or by mixing it 1:1 with warmed normal saline (sterile salt water) so that you don't become chilled by the transfusion.

  You may receive an allogenic transfusion (from a donor) or an autologous transfusion (using your own banked blood). Autologous transfusions are common for planned surgeries because you have time to donate prior to surgery, but for emergency situations or blood diseases, you will almost always need allogenic transfusions. The duration of the transfusion varies, depending upon how much blood you receive and the circumstances. For example, if you are hemorrhaging, you will be given blood as fast as possible.

Blood components

• You will probably receive red blood cells (packed cells) if you have anemia or acute loss of blood (such as from a bleeding ulcer) because red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which contains iron and carries oxygen. White blood cells are given to fight severe infection only in rare cases.

  If you have leukemia or other cancers and you are at risk for bleeding or have had massive loss of blood from trauma (such as an auto accident), you may receive platelets, which help the blood to clot. If you have bleeding because you don't have enough clotting factors in your blood, you may receive plasma, which contains essential proteins and fibrinogen, a clotting factor that helps prevent bleeding. If you have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, you may receive only the portion of the plasma that contains various clotting factors.