Publication:

Ineffective red blood cell transfusion in a case of macrocytic normochromic anemia: what is the cause?

Blood transfusion is an essential medical procedure used to replace blood loss due to bleeding or to increase red blood cell count in patients with certain conditions such as anemia. The effectiveness of a transfusion is generally assessed by an increase in hemoglobin levels 1 g/dl each packed of red blood cell and clinical improvement following transfusion. Transfusions are typically administered when hemoglobin levels fall below 7 g/dl in stable patients, or below 8 g/dl in those with cardiovascular disease. Ineffectivenes of tranfusion may be caused by many factors, the common cause that the anemia may be associated with hemolysis. However, not all such cases are attributable to hemolytic anemia hemolytic. That can be caused by active bleeding, poor blood component quality, massive transfusion, underlying clinical conditions such as hypersplenism and chronic kidney disease can also cause transfusion failure. We explore the possible causes that may affect the effectiveness of blood transfusion.