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Liver Transplant (Expert Forum)
Transfusion reaction becoming more frequent ?
Answered by
Thomas D Schiano, MD - Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Liver Transplantation, Hepatology
The Mount Sinai Medical Center
New York - NY
Questions posted in the Liver Transplant . Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Transfusion reaction becoming more frequent ?
by deathcheater, Nov 04, 2009 03:31AM
My meld score has actually improved from 11 to 9. I usually am anemic. Recent cause, bleeding stomach polyp resolved. Used to have reaction of violent chills, shaking, fast heartbeat, and rapid breathing. Now I get leukocyte poor blood with a "y" filter. Still reacted after 1 1/2 units with violent chills shaking, sometimes light fever. After transfusion stopped shaking resolved in 30-45 min and then I was fine.
After polyp fix, Hct was 18 now 26.5 after two transfusions totaling 1 and 1/2 units. Knowing my reaction, I arranged to get one unit at a time. First unit fine Six days later, another unit and my arm started to really hurt and then up to my shoulder, then the chills. I stopped the transfusion. I only got 1/2 a unit in. As usual, I was fine in about 45 minutes. I have them use a small needle and keep the blood flow slow. Luckily, I tolerate low Hct well, but I am really tired of wasting blood. I have not spoken to the blood bank to check their preparation of leuko poor blood. Sites w/ studies I need are restricted. Any help appreciated.
After polyp fix, Hct was 18 now 26.5 after two transfusions totaling 1 and 1/2 units. Knowing my reaction, I arranged to get one unit at a time. First unit fine Six days later, another unit and my arm started to really hurt and then up to my shoulder, then the chills. I stopped the transfusion. I only got 1/2 a unit in. As usual, I was fine in about 45 minutes. I have them use a small needle and keep the blood flow slow. Luckily, I tolerate low Hct well, but I am really tired of wasting blood. I have not spoken to the blood bank to check their preparation of leuko poor blood. Sites w/ studies I need are restricted. Any help appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by Thomas D Schiano, MD, Nov 05, 2009 01:19PM
, Nov 05, 2009 01:19PM
maybe you should take procrit regularly. You should clearly limit the # of transfusions that you receive.
Member Comments (3)
by deathcheater, Nov 07, 2009 10:12PM
To: Dr Schiano MD
Thanks for the idea. Oops, I wasn't being clear. Longstanding anemia has been improving as problems are resolved. Transfusions are not regular events. I've had one a year or so. In between blood loss events I'm able to build up blood on my own now pretty quickly (4 pts Hct 1 week post transfusion). In the Procrit lit it says that is enough. Avoiding transfusions is best, but I like to prepare, and was fishing for answers in case of emergency.
by Thomas D Schiano, MD, Nov 08, 2009 09:52AM
, Nov 08, 2009 09:52AM
i am not sure of anything prophylactic that you can do. Always alert the blood bank about your history of such reactions.
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