Influence of cross‐match on posttransfusion packed cell volume in feline packed red blood cell transfusion

Abstract

In this retrospective study, administration of type-specific, cross-match compatible pRBC transfusions resulted in significantly greater increases in the posttransfusion PCV when compared to administration of typed, noncross-matched pRBCs. Future prospective studies evaluating the effect of cross-match on transfusion efficacy in cats are warranted.

Effect of cross‐match on packed cell volume after transfusion of packed red blood cells in transfusion‐naïve anemic cats

“…This accomplishes standardization such that 1 unit of pRBCs in a human will increase the HCT by ∼1%/mL/kg . To our knowledge, the HCT of pRBC units from veterinary commercial blood banks has never been evaluated so based on our data and the data of others, extrapolation of these formulas to predict PCV after transfusion in cats could be inaccurate . Future studies incorporating HCT of pRBC units on predicting efficacy of transfusion are warranted to more specifically address the efficacy of feline pRBC transfusion.…”

“…Compatibility testing before transfusion in cats has recently shifted focus from solely the AB blood type system to more recently identified RBC antigens such as the Mik antigen . Subclinical hemolysis from undetected antigens has been postulated to decrease the efficacy of feline blood transfusion or result in life threatening HTR . The major cross‐match procedure should detect these incompatibilities between donor and recipient blood and result in greater efficacy of transfusion as suggested by a recent study .…”

“…In 2014, a significantly greater increase in the PCV after transfusion in cats that received type‐specific cross‐match compatible blood as compared with cats that received type‐specific noncross‐matched blood was retrospectively documented . These results suggest there might exist a subclinical level of hemolysis in transfused RBCs because of undetected alloantibodies in uncross‐matched blood transfusions.…”

“…With the growing availability of feline blood components, there has been increasing interest in compatibility testing before transfusion . The most well‐recognized feline blood group is the AB system, consisting of the A, B, and AB blood types.…”

“…These results suggest there might exist a subclinical level of hemolysis in transfused RBCs because of undetected alloantibodies in uncross‐matched blood transfusions. However, markers of HTR such as changes in clinical variables during the transfusion period, plasma hemoglobin concentration [pHb], and serum bilirubin after transfusion are not reported in this study . Furthermore, because of its retrospective nature, the reported population was biased as the majority of cats in the noncross‐matched group were transfusion‐naïve, whereas the majority of cats in the cross‐matched group had received previous RBC transfusions or had unknown transfusion history .…”