IMMUNOHEMATOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF TRANSFUSION REACTIONS

Abstract

Background. The decision, made by transfusion medicine specialist, for the extent of investigation of the transfusion reaction is based on the clinical course of transfusion reaction, reported by the patient´s physician. Immunohaematological tests are used for testing of compatibility in red blood cells antigen and rarely also in platelet and leucocyte antigens. Evaluation of reported transfusion reactions includes repeated checking of patient identification, of issued component and of the compatibility in AB0 blood groups between the patient and the donors. In cases of suspected immune haemolysis, direct antiglobulin test and antibody screening is performed from the patient´s posttransfusion sample of blood. Whenever, due to the signs and simptoms of transfusion reaction and the results of testing, immune haemolysis is possible, additional immunohaematological tests are done.Conclusions. Specialist of transfusion medicine determines the type of transfusion reaction regarding the clinical course, the response to the treatment and the results of checking and testing. The evaluation is finished with a report for the patient´s physician with further instructions. In addition, a report for the Consulting Service for Blood Component Users in Blood Transfusion Centre of Slovenia is issued. Described routine procedures of evaluation help us in the detection of the possible mistakes in the transfusion process and in the determination of the type of transfusion reaction.

Keywords

• transfusion reactions
• patient identification
• immune haemolysis
• AB0 blood group
• direct antiglobulin test
• antibody screening