SU3.1-3 | Blood and Blood Components — Glossary

Transfusion of red cells carrying an A or B antigen against which the recipient has pre-formed IgM antibody, causing acute intravascular haemolysis.

Immediate immunological reaction (usually ABO incompatibility) with IgM-mediated complement activation and intravascular haemolysis; fever, loin pain, haemoglobinuria, shock and DIC.

Temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation recorded immediately before transfusion, against which any reaction is judged.

The final pre-transfusion verification at the patient's side that this unit, on its compatibility label, matches this identified patient; the last barrier against wrong-patient transfusion.

Collection and re-infusion of a patient's own blood lost during surgery; an alternative that can reduce the need for allogeneic transfusion.

Hypocalcaemia caused by the citrate anticoagulant in stored blood chelating ionised calcium, prominent in rapid massive transfusion.

The label attached to a crossmatched blood unit recording the intended recipient's identifiers, blood group and the unit's donation number, checked against the patient at the bedside.

The practice of separating donated blood into its components and transfusing only the fraction the patient lacks, rather than whole blood.

Pre-transfusion compatibility test between donor cells and recipient serum confirming ABO/Rh compatibility and detecting clinically significant antibodies.

Cold-insoluble precipitate from thawed FFP, rich in fibrinogen, factor VIII, von Willebrand factor and factor XIII; used for hypofibrinogenaemia and factor replacement.

Extravascular haemolysis appearing days after transfusion from an anamnestic IgG response to a minor red-cell antigen; unexplained Hb fall, jaundice, positive DAT.

Temporary or permanent exclusion of a prospective donor for reasons that risk donor or recipient safety (e.g. anaemia, recent illness, recent tattoo, high-risk behaviour).

Fever and rigors during or soon after transfusion from recipient anti-leucocyte antibodies or accumulated cytokines, without haemolysis.

Plasma frozen at ≤ −30 °C (keeps ~1 year) containing all coagulation factors; used for multiple-factor deficiency and massive-transfusion or liver-disease coagulopathy.

A competent patient's voluntary agreement after disclosure of the indication, benefits, material risks and alternatives of a proposed treatment such as transfusion.

The minimum gap between whole-blood donations (three months in India) allowing the donor to recover iron stores and blood volume.

Replacement of ~1 blood volume (≈10 units) in 24 h (or ≥4 units in 1 h / 50% blood volume in 3 h), risking hypocalcaemia, hyperkalaemia, hypothermia and coagulopathy.

Red-cell concentrate with most plasma removed, stored at 2–6 °C for ~35–42 days; used for symptomatic anaemia and red-cell replacement (~1 g/dL Hb rise per unit).

Products fractionated from pooled plasma — albumin, specific clotting-factor concentrates and immunoglobulins.

Platelet component stored at 20–24 °C with continuous agitation for ~5 days; used for thrombocytopenic bleeding or platelet dysfunction.

Confirming identity by having the patient state their own full name and date of birth and matching these to the wristband and the unit's compatibility label.

The immediate response to a suspected reaction: stop the transfusion, keep the line open with saline, recheck identity, support airway/breathing/circulation, call for help, return the unit and a sample.

Hydrostatic pulmonary oedema from volume overload during transfusion, with raised JVP and hypertension; treated by slowing/stopping transfusion and a diuretic.

Non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema within 6 hours of transfusion caused by donor anti-leucocyte antibodies activating recipient lung neutrophils.

Infections screened for in every donation; in India mandatorily HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and malaria.

Blood donation given freely without payment; the safest source of blood because donors have no incentive to conceal risk factors.

Unseparated donated blood containing red cells, plasma, platelets and clotting factors; largely replaced by component therapy except in major haemorrhage.

The early phase of infection during which a donor is infectious but screening tests are still negative; minimised by voluntary repeat donors and nucleic-acid testing.