English Translation of the Dutch Blood Transfusion Guideline 2011

Abstract

students, and leaders in the technology and communication industries were invited to participate. The broad range of topics discussed included means to improve access to data, approaches for better information filtering and for electronic annotation, the merits and limitations of the peer-review process, and pathways to transition from today's static publication format to an interactive one. A unique aspect of this meeting was the participation of HighWire Press, the leading e-publishing platform, which facilitates the digital dissemination of 1696 journals, such as Science, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the British Medical Journal, and Clinical Chemistry. HighWire Press and similar publishing entities have the ability to transform some of these ideas into reality and the potential to change the way that readers access and communicate scientific information. To access the executive summary of this exercise, go to: https://lib.stanford.edu/files/ Colloquium.Summary.Final_.pdf.

Implementation of Molecular <b><i>RHD</i></b> Typing at Two Blood Transfusion Institutes from Southeastern Europe

“…An antiglobulin test for the detection of some weaker forms of D variant phenotypes is not recommended for patient testing in the UK [29], France, Germany [30, 31], the Netherlands [32], or the USA [27], but it is mandatory in some countries in central Europe, for example Austria [19, 20]. Both institutes which participated in this study adopted the abovementioned algorithm, as well as an indirect antiglobulin test by gel method for weak D variants.…”

Red blood cell transfusion support and management of secondary iron overload in patients with haematological malignancies in the Netherlands: a survey

“…These triggers may be derived from the RBC transfusion triggers for normovolemic anaemia patients with an acute bleeding according to the Dutch transfusion guideline, the so‐called ‘4‐5‐6 rule’ in which a RBC transfusion is initiated at a haemoglobin trigger of 6·4 g/dl (4 mmol/l) in young and otherwise healthy patients. This trigger is adjusted to 8·0 g/dl or 9·6 g/dl (5 or 6 mmol/l) dependent on comorbidities and other clinical factors . However, the observed variation of haemoglobin triggers, reported in our survey, is much wider.…”

“…The beneficial effect of these RBC transfusions on, for example, quality of life, bleeding and other clinical outcomes, remains, however, difficult to quantify . While studies on restrictive RBC transfusion strategies show no disadvantages in other patient groups, limited data are available on such strategies in patients with haematological malignancies . Haemoglobin triggers and number of RBC units given per transfusion episode may therefore vary in daily practice.…”

Age of platelet concentrates and time to the next transfusion

“…In this study no association between storage time and time to the next transfusion for apheresis PLTs is observed. Besides reflecting a true difference between components, or the lack of power to show an association due to the limited number of apheresis PLTs transfused, this may also be the result of the specific indications for which apheresis PLTs are prescribed in the Netherlands (i.e., HLA‐ or HPA‐typed PLTs, neonates, and adults in case of ABO incompatibility, volume overload, or allergic reactions) …”

“…Further, PLTs in plasma can be hyperconcentrated (i.e., plasma removed), by indication, before being transfused. Hyperconcentration is only applied to components stored for 5 days or less …”