Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education
Scientific literature and patient education texts
Sickle cell disease: when to transfuse
source: Medscape
year: 2018
authors: Mary Hulihan
summary/abstract:Hello. I am Dr Mary Hulihan, a health scientist in the Division of Blood Disorders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Today I would like to talk about the indications for blood transfusion in patients with sickle cell disease, the complications associated with these transfusions, and how you can help reduce the risk for these complications in your patients.
For many patients with sickle cell disease, red blood cell transfusions are an important part of medical care, reducing both mortality and morbidity. Both the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the British Society for Haematology have published documents that underscore the many unique aspects of care that must be taken into account when transfusing this patient population.
Although transfusions can be highly beneficial in treating sickle cell disease–related issues, they are not without risks. There are three scenarios when blood transfusions should be considered for patients with sickle cell disease. First, certain acute illnesses, such as acute chest syndrome or severe exacerbation of anemia with splenic or hepatic sequestration, may call for a simple blood transfusion.
read moreRelated Content
-
Sickle Cell Disease: Nutritional ConsiderationsPatients with sickle cell anemia have gr...
-
CIRM and NHLBI Collaborating to Fund Cell and Gene Therapies for Sickle Cell DiseaseThe California Institute for Regenerativ...
-
APS Scientific Meeting 2019The American Pain Society will hold its ...
-
Clinical risks and healthcare utilization of hematopoietic cell transplantation for sickle cell disease in the USA u...Advances in allogeneic hematopoietic cel...
-
Review Board Finds Global Blood’s Sickle Cell Disease Therapy Voxelotor Is SafeAn independent review board has found Gl...
-
Sickle cell patients in UK survey, especially those 16 to 20, voice problems with care and pain relief givenIn a survey, patients across the...
-
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Announces FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Olinciguat for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disea...Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a commer...
To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.