The Usage of Uncrossmatched Group O, Rh-Negative RBCs for Emergency Transfusion / 대한수혈학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The use of uncrossmatched group O, Rh-negative RBCs has enabled immediate transfusion of patients who need critical care in life-threatening situations. We examined our 1-year experience with uncrossmatched group O, Rh-negative RBC transfusion in a tertiary care university hospital. METHODS: Uncrossmatched group O, Rh-negative RBCs were available for immediate transfusion upon request without performing any of the following pretransfusion tests ABO and RhD typing, irregular antibody screening, crossmatching test. The characteristics of the transfused patients were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients received 56 units of uncrossmatched group O, Rh-negative RBCs from November 2005 to October 2006. An average of 2.24 units was issued to each patient, with no more than 4 units per patient being given; subsequent transfusion was done with type-specific, crossmatched blood. The average turnaround time for the release of uncrossmatched group O, Rh-negative RBCs was 1.8 minutes (mean+/-standard deviation 1.8+/-1.96, range 0~7 minutes). Seventeen patients died (68%), which included 16 patients who had received cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CONCLUSION: Patients admitted for traffic accident, falling down injury, gastrointestinal bleeding and aortic dissection received 72% of the emergency group O, Rh-negative RBCs, with a 72.2% mortality rate, which indicates the dire condition of these patients. The majority of RBCs for transfusion were available within 5 minutes upon request. Though group O, Rh-negative RBCs are recommended in emergency situations in which the blood group of the patient is unknown, the use of group O, Rh-positive RBCs may be an alternative blood supply, when considering the short supply of Rh-negative RBCs.