inPractice® - Red Blood Cell Transfusion

Red blood cell transfusion to treat anemia is necessary for particularly severe, symptomatic anemia or to treat chronic anemia unresponsive to other treatments
The “Choosing Wisely” campaign recommends that the lowest effective dose of RBCs be administered to avoid potential transfusion-related complications^{[Carson 2012]}
Repeated transfusions may be immunosuppressive,^{[Brunson 1990]} and survival is shortened in patients with AIDS who are given transfusions^{[Vamvakas 1993; Buskin 2004]}