Transfusion av äldre blodprodukter kan utgöra en risk. Kunskapsläget om lagring och
transfusionsrelaterade skador är oklart
Sammanfattning
Packed red blood cells are routinely stored up to 42 days, but their function progressively deteriorates. Several retrospective studies suggest an increased mortality and multiorgan failure in patients transfused with older blood. Both storage lesions in blood components and transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM) mechanisms may have an impact. Blood transfusion in itself regardless of age is also significant and it is important to avoid unnecessary transfusions. Blood is a scarce commodity and predestining fresher blood components to certain patients can be difficult in the current situation. Autotransfusion may have advantages. Several mechanisms for transfusion-related immunomodulation) have been described. The risk of infection and organ failure secondary to TRIM is increased by a longer period between yield and transfusion and by the amount of components. Neither storage lesions nor TRIM are yet optimally understood. Research about the use of fresher blood products within perioperative and intensive care is needed.