Can we count on our banked blood?

[xinni19]

I guess some of you might have already heard about the latest research done by some scientists. The short of it is that blood transfusions aren't as successful as we had hoped them to be, and might in fact make things worse i.e. cause cardiac arrests or even deaths during transfusions. The risks are lower for those who do not get transfused.

This is because the level of nitric oxide in the blood drops rapidly, in fact 3 hours is all you need to see a drastic decrease. Nitric oxide is important to opening up the blood vessels to allow oxygen to travel through the blood. Without nitric oxide, the vessels constrict thereby causing heart attacks and the possibility of deaths. What turned out as a cure could very well kill us.

For more pls visit: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/09/health/main3346548.shtml

So what I want to find out are the responses to this research. There was a rather encouraging response to the abovementioned research though.

For more pls visit:
http://www.ourmidland.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18921659&BRD=2289&PAG=461&dept_id=513237&rfi=6

Though the scientists found this flaw in the transfusion, they also tested positive results of re-introducing nitic oxide into banked blood. However, more clinical testing needs to be done in order for current blood processing procedures to be altered.

Obviously, there is still a need for blood donations now. We can't possibly stop drawing blood even if there aren't apparent cures to this situation. However, there are also what they call bloodless medicines, aimed at reducing the need for blood transfusions by reducing blood loss during surgeries. This is a good thing through and through. It means more blood for cancer patients etc.

What I would like to find out is, would the thought that blood transfusion could be rendered useless cause people to stop donating blood? What are the prospects of blood donation in the near future, for lack of a better term?

[laine]

Hi xinni19,

Thank you for your interest. Below is Centre for Transfusion Medicine's reply posted for your info:

The CBS news report is based on a recent study by research teams at Duke University showing the decrease of levels of nitric oxide in stored blood over time. The researchers have postulated that this results in
constriction of the blood vessels and inability to deliver blood to the
tissues. However, this is currently based on in-vitro and animal studies,
and the clinical relevance of the findings has to be proven first before
any conclusions can be made that this is a factor contributing towards
increased risk of cardiac events in transfused patients.

HSA monitors all issues relating to blood safety closely and will continue
to keep track of this and subsequent related studies to determine if
measures are needed to correct nitric oxide depletion in stored blood. We
would like to emphasise that blood transfusions are only given where there
is clear clinical indication that it is needed to save the patient's life.
Although every care is taken to protect the safety of the blood supply,
every blood transfusion carries a risk of adverse reaction (including risks
from immune complications and body fluid imbalances). There are
complications to blood transfusion such as allergic reaction and haemolytic
transfusion reaction. Hence, prescribing doctors must always carefully
weigh the benefits of blood transfusion against the possible adverse
effects and complications. Withholding blood transfusions might pose an
even greater danger and risks for patients in need.

Bloodless medicine and surgery are alternatives to blood transfusions as
part of recovery process from surgeries - by using medicines, special
instruments and other procedures to reduce blood loss during surgery. This
is an important way to reduce blood usage. Blood can then be channeled to
patients with cancer or other medical conditions. Autologous Blood
Donation is one of the methods. For more detail, please log on to this
website (
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/blood_donation/autologous_transfusion.html (http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/blood_donation/autologous_transfusion.html)
).

The need for blood donations remains. Blood cannot be manufactured and
there is no substitute. Blood is needed every day to help save the life of
an accident victim or a patient with severe anaemia. Leukemia and cancer
patients also need platelet support during every treatment. In Singapore,
we need to collect at least 350 units of blood every day to meet these
patients’ needs. Therefore, we urge our blood donors continue to donate
blood regularly.

____________________________________
Dr Tan Hwee Huang | Deputy Director | Blood Resources - Centre for
Transfusion Medicine | Health Service Group
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