Transfusion - Red Cells

Transfusion - Platelets

Transfusion - Plasma Components

Clinically significant antibodies

Presence of these antibodies can make transfusion more challenging and could possibly lead to a transfusion reaction in the patient (see BTT: Transfusion Reactions module).

Examples of clinically significant antibodies that you may come across include:

• Anti-K;
• Anti-D;
• Anti-c;
• Anti-JKa.

85% of the population are D positive and 15% D negative.

D positive patients can receive either D type blood, whereas D negative patients should generally receive D negative blood.

D negative patients can make anti-D if they are exposed to D positive cells through transfusion or pregnancy. D negative females of child bearing potential should never be transfused with D positive cells.

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)

• most suited for 'clinically significant' but without 'major haemorrhage' in patients with a prothrombin time (PT) ratio or activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) ratio > 1.5
• typically 150-220 mL
• can be used prophylactically in patients undergoing invasive surgery where there is a risk of significant bleeding
• In contrast to red cells, the universal donor of FFP is AB blood because it lacks any anti-A or anti-B antibodies