Investigation of blood transfusion in elderly patients in third-level general hospitals / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the blood transfusion paths in elderly patients in order to ensure the blood transfusion safety in the elderly.Methods Clinical data of elderly patients (aged 60 and over) receiving blood transfusion were selected from January 2008 to December 2013.Data of blood transfusion in different clinical department were analyzed.Results From 2008 to 2013,the number of elderly patients receiving blood transfusion and transfusion volume showed the rising trends.Patients in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery had the most blood transfusion volume among all surgical departments (9.3U/person),and plasma transfusion accounted for the most with plasma and red blood cells in a 3 ∶ 1 ratio.Patients in Department of Internal Medicine had the most blood transfusion volume among all non surgical departments (15.9U/person),and platelets transfusion accounted for the most with platelets and red blood cells in a 3 ∶ 1 ratio.The oldest patients on average receiving blood transfusion in the top 10 was from Department of Emergency (aged 77 years),and the most common cause was gastrointestinal hemorrhage.The youngest patients receiving blood transfusion in the top 10 was from Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Department of Gynecology (aged 69 years),and the most common cause was huge pleural mass and ovarian cancer.Conclusions Blood transfusion for elderly patients should be restrict the indications for transfusion strictly,choose the reasonable transfusion time,blood components and volume.Physiological and functional changes and clinical features of elderly patients should be paid attention to at the same time in order to reduce unnecessary transfusions,particularly the dependence on plasma transfusion and unnecessary collocated blood transfusion,to avoid the overload and adverse transfusion reactions.