Are Blood Transfusions Safe? Study Links Blood Transfusions to Surgery Complications in Women

Blood Transfusions Are Linked to Surgical Complications for Women

By Patty Oh, published Dec 03, 2007
Published Content: 412  Total Views: 240,600  Favorited By: 26 CPs
Rating: 4.7 of 5
Many people think that blood transfusions are safe. They are - but they do carry risks. In a recent study, researchers announced that more women die after heart surgery than men. The cause? Infections - caused by blood transfusions.

In a recent press release, researchers from the University of Michigan Health System and the University of Rochester Medical Center collaborated on this research and detailed their findings.

On the whole, women receive more blood transfusions than men undergoing similar surgeries. It's simple math - the more blood transfusions that are done, the greater the risk for complications.

Researchers estimate than nearly half, 41 percent, to three quarters, 71 percent, of Americans have a blood transfusion at some point in their life.

Whether or not a blood transfusion can cause an infection is a matter for debate, with differing opinions on both sides.

While blood transfusions have been made as safe as scientifically possible, receiving someone else's blood always carries risks. When a blood transfusion is necessary, researchers recommend that patients only use blood that has had the white cells removed.

The name of the process for removing the white cells is called leukoreduction. By utilizing leukoreduction, scientists believe that the chances of developing an infection from a blood transferred are lowered.

Researchers have raised the question, do all of these surgeries necessitate blood transfusions? Or, is it possible that people are being given blood transfusions needlessly?

"For 100 years we've assumed blood transfusions are good for people, but most of these clinical practices grew before we had the research to support it," said Neil Blumberg, M.D., professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and director of Transfusion Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Blumberg was a co-author of this research study.

Are Blood Transfusions Safe? Study Links Blood Transfusions to Surgery Complications in Women
Location:
 USA
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
 
 
Very frightening.

Posted on 12/07/2007 at 4:12:00 PM

 
Informative article. I like to know things like this. Thanks.

Posted on 12/07/2007 at 11:12:00 AM

 
Good info!

Posted on 12/04/2007 at 4:12:00 PM

 
Very informative! Thanks for this.

Posted on 12/04/2007 at 7:12:00 AM

 
This reminds me of some personal and friend experiences I could write about, a nurse who witnessed many horrors. Thanks for pointing out some of the risks that are not well known.

Posted on 12/03/2007 at 11:12:00 PM

 
Harriet, I'll join you LOL :)

Posted on 12/03/2007 at 9:12:00 PM

 
Another very informative article---hey, after reading your articles, I might be able to become a nurse or even a doctor!!!!!

Posted on 12/03/2007 at 7:12:00 PM

Type in Your Comments Below - (1000 characters left)
Your name:

Submit your own content on this or any topic. Get started »
Showing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
 
Most Commented On