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PubMed2000

Autologous transfusion and other approaches to reduce allogeneic blood exposure.

When used as the sole source of transfused blood, the principal advantage of autologous blood transfusion is the avoidance of transmission of infectious agents and the avoidance of the purported adverse immunomodulatory effects of allogeneic transfusion. In the 1990s, however, the risks of transfusion-transmitted diseases have been greatly reduced, and estimates of the cost-effectiveness of pre-operative autologous blood donations now vary between 2470 dollars and 3,400,000 dollars per quality-adjusted year of life saved, depending on assumptions about the existence and magnitude of any adverse immunomodulatory effects of allogeneic transfusion. There is a paucity of randomized controlled trials evaluating the clinical outcomes and the cost-effectiveness of autologous transfusion procedures, and this situation is unlikely to change in the near future because of the difficulties in conducting such trials. This chapter reviews the available evidence on the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of the three common autologous transfusion procedures, that is, pre-operative autologous blood donation, acute normovolaemic haemodilution, and intra-operative and post-operative blood recovery.

Blood Donors↗
PubMed2000

Intravascular catheter-related infections: a preventable challenge in the critically ill.

In modem medicine, central venous catheters (CVCs) have a pivotal role in the management of critically ill patients. The most serious complication of effective CVC placement is catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). Microbial colonization and CRBSI are the byproducts of the interaction of 4 factors: (1) microbial factors (hydrophobicity and exopolysaccharide production), (2) host factors (such protein adhesins as fibrin and fibronectin that attach to the catheter surface), (3) catheter material (hydrophobicity, surface charges, thrombogenicity), and (4) iatrogenic factors (total parenteral nutrition, interleukin-2). The organisms most frequently associated with CRBSI are Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida spp. CRBSIs were traditionally diagnosed through semiquantitative or quantitative cultures of the catheter tip. However, the diagnosis can be achieved without catheter removal through cultures of blood specimens collected simultaneously though the CVC and a peripheral vein. Currently, the most effective method of preventing a CRBSI is the use of a CVC coated with antimicrobial agents. Intravenous administration of vancomycin for 7 days is adequate for an uncomplicated CRBSI caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, and at least 10 days of therapy with beta-lactams is required for an uncomplicated infection caused by methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. CRBSI caused by Candida albicans or Candida parapsilosis can be treated with at least 14 days of therapy with fluconazole or amphotericin B. In the case of Candida krusei, only amphotericin B is effective.

Bacteremia↗
PubMed2004

[Autologous transfusion -- from euphoria to reason: clinical practice based on scientific knowledge (Part II). Autologous transfusion in children -- blood saving techniques].

It is uncontested that blood-saving strategies should also be applied in children. However, in the past, blood-saving techniques saw limited use in children, although they are well-established in adults. This is due to technical and methodical problems, but also to the physiologically limited compensatory mechanisms for diminished oxygen delivery in this age group. For this reason, the various blood saving-techniques cannot be universally applied to all age groups. During the first year of life most perioperative techniques are of only limited benefit: even only a small amount of blood loss in relation to total blood volume makes a transfusion of allogeneic blood necessary, which is far before enough shed blood can be recovered for retransfusion. Preoperative autologous donation of blood calls for a high degree of cooperation by the child and the parents an is equally demanding in terms of organization and skills. Therefore, this procedure is used mainly in school-age children and in adolescents. Intraoperative blood salvage, by contrast, is already worthwhile in children from age one year with an expected blood loss of 20 % of blood volume. Acute normovolemic hemodilution and deliberate hypotension should be recommended only in an age group where cardiovascular compensatory mechanisms are given. Supporting procedures aimed at avoiding the need for allogeneic blood include perioperative administration of erythropoietin, iron supplementation, blood-saving surgical techniques and careful hemostasis. These prerequisites, the combination of various techniques, as well as the definition of an age-specific low transfusion trigger have contributed to a marked decrease in the need for allogeneic blood products in children in recent years.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Monitoring umbilical cord puncture and intravascular transfusions with Doppler ultrasound].

Complications of percutaneous umbilical blood samplings and intravascular transfusions can be detected rapidly, easily and efficiently by Doppler ultrasound and therefore the operator can react as early as possible. In addition to real-time sonography Doppler ultrasound allows for assessment of haemodynamical changes due to intravascular transfusions both on the venous and arterial side of umbilical perfusion. Because of immediate recognition of bradycardia and other fetal cardiac frequency alterations as well as increase of resistance to blood flow on the arterial side the operator can react promptly. On the venous side correct application of transfused volume is monitored continuously by changes of flow velocity waveforms during injection and allows to assess dislocation of the needle.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1997

[EMLA for anesthesia of puncture sites for large lumen indwelling venous catheters for autologous plasma and erythrocyte concentrate donation].

OBJECTIVE: The analgetic effect of EMLA-Creme (Lidocaine-Prilocaine-Cream) was studied in 52 patients undergoing preoperative autologous blood and/or plasma donation. METHOD: 95 venous punctures were performed with a 18 G or 16 G cannula. Puncture pain was estimated by the patients using a visual analog painscore (VAS 0-100). The data were evaluated regarding reaction time, puncture spot and cannula diameter. RESULTS: Within 15 minutes we find a clear reduction of puncture pain. The diameter of the cannula does not correlate with the painscore. Puncture of hand-back veins seems to be more painful than cubital vein puncture. CONCLUSION: The application of EMLA-Creme results in an effective analgesia for venous puncture. 37% of our patients were punctured without any pain and 67% felt a tolerable pain (VAS: 0-10).

Anesthetics, Local↗
PubMed1986

Phlebotomy for diagnostic laboratory tests in adults. Pattern of use and effect on transfusion requirements.

Although anemia is a frequently observed complication of phlebotomies for laboratory tests in neonates, this problem has received little attention in adult populations. We analyzed the phlebotomy records of 100 hospitalized patients and found that 50 patients who spent all of their hospitalization in general wards had blood samples drawn an average of 1.1 times a day. A mean volume of 12.4 ml a day was drawn, and the total volume drawn during their entire hospitalization was 175.0 ml. In contrast, 50 patients who spent part or all of their hospitalization in an intensive care unit were phlebotomized a mean of 3.4 times a day, for a mean volume of 41.5 ml of blood drawn a day and a total volume of 762.2 ml. Patients in the intensive care unit who had arterial lines had more blood drawn (944.0 ml), more often (4.0 times a day), than patients in the intensive care unit who did not have such lines (300.9 ml; 1.9 times a day). Of 36 patients who received transfusions, 17 (47 percent) had large losses from phlebotomy (greater than 180 ml of red cells) that contributed to their transfusion requirements. We propose the use of sample tubes of the size used in pediatrics, batching of requests for laboratory tests, and review of the cumulative volume of blood removed from individual patients as approaches to reducing blood loss from phlebotomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Plasma viscosity values and the relationship with age and sex in normal commercial broiler and layer strains of chickens.

1. The plasma viscosity values of normal commercial broiler and layer strains of chicken were measured in relation to age and sex. 2. In both broilers and layers plasma viscosity values decreased at 2 weeks of age; probably reflecting the period of change from maternal plasma protein to the bird's self-synthesised proteins. 3. There was a progressive rise in plasma viscosity in both strains and sexes with age. The increase was greatest in female layers at 17 weeks of age before lay. 4. There was no overall significant difference in viscosity values between fresh and frozen-stored plasma samples.

Aging↗
PubMed2000

Impact of blood sampling in very preterm infants.

In a prospective investigation, 99 very preterm infants (gestational age (GA) 24 32 weeks, birthweight 560-2,255 g) were studied during the first 4 weeks of life. The infants were divided into two groups: infants born extremely early (GA <28 weeks, n = 20) and infants of GA 28 - 32 weeks; the groups were then subdivided into critically ill or not. Diagnostic blood sampling and blood transfusion events were recorded. In total, 1905 blood samples (5,253 analysis) were performed, corresponding to 0.7 samples (1.9 analysis) per day per infant. The highest frequencies were found during the first week, in infants with extremely low GA and in critically ill infants. The mean blood loss and transfusion volume values were 13.6 ml/kg and 6.3 ml/kg, respectively. In total, 19 infants (19%) received 34 transfusions corresponding to 0.3 transfusions per infant. Thirteen out of 20 infants of extremely low GA received 28 blood transfusions, corresponding to 27.0 ml/kg of blood on average during the study period. Four developed late anaemia; thus, in total, 14 (70%) of the infants born extremely early received 35 transfusions during the first 3 months of life, corresponding to a total mean of 34.8 ml/kg. For the extremely preterm infants a significant correlation between sampled and transfused blood volume was found (mean 37.1 and 33.3 ml/kg, respectively, r = + 0.71, p = 0.0003). The most frequently requested analyses were glucose, sodium and potassium. Few blood gas analyses were requested (1.9/ infant). No blood losses attributable to excessive generous sampling were detected. The results show an acceptable low frequency of sampling and transfusion events for infants of GA 28-32 weeks. The study emphasizes the necessity of thorough reflection and monitoring of blood losses when ordering blood sampling in extremely preterm, critically ill infants.

Anemia↗
PubMed2004

A multicentre study of reference intervals for haemoglobin, basic blood cell counts and erythrocyte indices in the adult population of the Nordic countries.

Eight haematological quantities were measured in EDTA anticoagulated venous blood specimens collected from 1826 healthy male and female individuals between 18 and 90 years of age in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden). The samples, collected between November 1999 and November 2001 as part of the Nordic Reference Interval Project (NORIP), were analysed on 12 different types of modern automated haematology instruments currently in use among the 60 laboratories participating in the study. Non-parametric reference intervals (between 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles) have been calculated for B-Haemoglobin (females 117-153 g/L, males 134-170 g/L), B-Erythrocytes (females 3.94-5.16 x 10(12)/L, males 4.25-5.71 x 10(12)/L), B-EVF (females 0.348-0.459, males 0.395-0.500), B-MCV (82-98 fL), Erc-MCH (27.1-33.3 pg), Erc-MCHC (317-357 g/L), B-Trc (females 165-387 x 10(9)/L, males 145 x 348 x 10(9)/L) and B-Lkc (3.5-8.8 x 10(9)/L). Partitioning of data according to age and gender was done according to a standardized procedure. For most variables the calculated reference intervals corresponded well with older and less well-defined reference intervals. The mean concentration of B-Haemoglobin increased by 0.08 g/L per year of age in women, and decreased by 0.1 g/L per year of age in men. B-Haemoglobin increased with body mass index in both men and women. Smoking increased the mean of B-Lkc by 1.1 x 10(9)/L and regular use of alcohol increased the mean of B-MCV by 0.8 fL. The influence of these factors was small overall and did not promote specific reference intervals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of reported malaria chemoprophylactic failure among travelers in a US University Exchange Program, 2002.

BACKGROUND: Travelers to malarious areas are at risk of acquiring malaria; however, with chemoprophylaxis and prompt, effective therapy, serious complications of infection are generally preventable. In June 2002, we investigated a report of a cluster of malaria cases among US university staff and students who visited Ghana and were reportedly adherent to appropriate malaria chemoprophylaxis. METHODS: We administered a questionnaire to all participants and collected blood specimens for malaria serological examinations from those reporting malaria infection diagnosed by blood smear in Ghana. RESULTS: Of the 33 participants, 25 completed the questionnaire. Twenty-four took a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended chemoprophylactic drug; 14 (56%) of 25 reported complete adherence to therapy. Twenty (80%) of 25 subjects reported symptoms consistent with possible malaria. Six of these persons reported a microscopic diagnosis of malaria and were treated in Ghana. Serological examination for malaria was performed using blood samples obtained from 5 of these participants; the results for all were negative, suggesting that incorrect diagnoses of malaria were made. CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnosis of malaria made while a person is abroad may not only lead to erroneous reports of drug resistance, but it could also result in unnecessary administration of antimalarial treatment. Health care providers and public health authorities must critically evaluate reports of chemoprophylactic failures and disseminate accurate information to travelers.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Cardiac findings during uncomplicated acute influenza in ambulatory adults.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported abnormal cardiac findings in up to 43% of ambulatory adults with influenza. This study was conducted to determine the frequency, magnitude, and duration of myocardial dysfunction in such persons. METHODS: We enrolled 30 previously healthy young adults without known cardiovascular disease who presented to the clinic <or=72 h after onset of influenza symptoms and had a positive influenza antigen test. Most patients received antiviral therapy, and all underwent serial electrocardiography and had blood specimens collected on days 1, 4, 11, and 28 after presentation for measurement of total creatine kinase (CK) level, CK isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) level, troponin I level, and selected cytokine levels. Echocardiography was performed on days 4, 11, and 28. RESULTS: None of the patients had an elevated CK-MB index or troponin I level. Abnormal electrocardiogram findings were noted in 53%, 33%, 27%, and 23% of patients on days 1, 4, 11, and 28, respectively, but none of the findings were considered to be clinically significant. No patient had significant changes in the ejection fraction or abnormal wall motions. CONCLUSIONS: Most ambulatory young adults with acute influenza have clinically insignificant abnormal electrocardiogram findings early during the illness. These abnormalities resolve promptly and are not associated with changes in cardiac markers or echocardiogram findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

HIV type 1 in Thailand, 1994-1995: persistence of two subtypes with low genetic diversity.

Extensive transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in Thailand began in 1988, resulting in an estimated 800,000 cumulative infections by 1994. During 1994 and 1995, we collected blood specimens from 215 asymptomatic HIV-1-infected people with various risk behaviors from nine locations in all four regions of Thailand. HIV-1 subtypes and genetic heterogeneity were determined for 214 strains by a combination of direct DNA sequencing (n = 95), subtype-specific oligonucleotide probe testing (n = 201), and V3-loop peptide enzyme immunoassay (PEIA) (n = 214). All strains were either env subtype E (175; 81.8%) or B (39; 18.2%). Of the subtype B isolates, 37 (94.9%) were B' and 2 (5.1%) were more typical North American-like B strains (most subtype B strains in Thailand are part of a distinct subcluster within the subtype B branch on phylogenetic trees, termed B'; formerly Thai B or BB). Of 149 viruses from people with sexual risk behaviors from all regions, 146 (98.0%) were subtype E. Of 65 viruses from injecting drug users (IDUs), 29 (44.6%) were subtype E and 36 (55.4%) were subtype B, including 35 B' strains. There was regional variation in the proportions of subtypes E and B' among IDUs. The intrasubtype nucleotide divergence within the V3 and flanking regions of the env gene (mid-C2 to the start of the V4 region) was low (5.7% for subtype E and 3.1% for subtype B') compared with other HIV-1 group M subtypes from different countries. These findings of two subtypes with low heterogeneity indicate that Thailand may be a desirable setting for evaluating candidate HIV-1 vaccines. The mix of subtype E and B' strains among IDUs also offers the opportunity to study phenotypic differences between the two subtypes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Serum cholesterol concentrations are associated with visuomotor speed in men: findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994.

BACKGROUND: Current international recommendations advise aggressive treatment of relative hypercholesterolemia despite an incomplete understanding of any neurobehavioral effects of low or lowered serum cholesterol. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine the relation between serum cholesterol concentrations and performance in immediate memory, visuomotor speed, and coding speed tests. DESIGN: The participants were 4110 adults aged 20-59 y who completed a set of neurobehavioral tests and had blood specimens collected as a part of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. RESULTS: After adjustment for sociodemographic variables, serum trace elements and vitamins, dietary energy intake, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, we found inverse linear associations of serum total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol with visuomotor speed in men. The least-squares mean (+/- SE) visuomotor speeds were 231.6 +/- 2.6, 224.0 +/- 2.2, and 218.9 +/- 2.5 ms, respectively, for men with serum total cholesterol concentrations below the 25th, between the 25th and the 75th, and at or above the 75th percentile (P for trend < 0.001) and were 231.7 +/- 2.7, 225.8 +/- 2.4, and 214.1 +/- 2.3 ms, respectively, for men with a non-HDL-cholesterol concentration below the 25th, between the 25th and the 75th, and at or above the 75th percentile (P for trend < 0.001). No significant associations were observed between memory or coding speed and the selected serum cholesterol measures in men, and the scores of the 3 neurobehavioral tests were unrelated to serum cholesterol in women. CONCLUSION: Low serum total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol are associated with slow visuomotor speed in young and middle-aged men.

Adult↗