Leukocyte reduction of red cells when transfusing patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia: A strategy to decrease the incidence of confounding transfusion reactions

J. A. Lumadue, R. S. Shirey, T. S. Kickler, P. M. Ness

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) presents a difficult challenge to clinicians and blood bankers alike. Autoantibodies in the serum significantly complicate serologic evaluation, and necessitate performing procedures such as adsorptions to eliminate the possibility of underlying alloantibodies. In many instances the blood that is issued may be phenotypically similar but remains crossmatch incompatible, generating a considerable degree of anxiety among the clinical staff who are responsible for transfusing the patient. We report a case of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA) in which the transfusion of red cells was complicated by a febrile transfusion reaction. Evaluation of the reaction resulted in a significant delay in transfusion therapy. Subsequent administration of leukocyte-poor red cells resulted in uneventful transfusions with a good therapeutic response. Retrospective analysis of the pretransfusion sample demonstrated significant levels of anti-neutrophil antibodies. This case resulted in the establishment of our policy to administer all red cell transfusions to patients with autoantibodies (warm or cold) as leukocyte-poor red cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)84-86
Number of pages3
JournalImmunohematology
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Leukocyte reduction of red cells when transfusing patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia: A strategy to decrease the incidence of confounding transfusion reactions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this