Analysis of Current Status of Chronic Red Blood Cell Transfusion / 대한수혈학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is widely practiced as part of supportive care in patients with chronic anemia. However, there were few reports on the actual situation in Korea. Therefore, we studied the current status of chronic RBC transfusion. METHODS: Among patients who received RBC transfusions at a regional hospital from January 2011 to December 2015, patients who were consistently transfused with more than 15 units of RBC for more than one year were included. We retrospectively analyzed the status of RBC transfusion, including the laboratory findings related to transfusion using medical records. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 66.4 years, and there were 24 hematologic malignancies (41.4%), 20 malignant tumors (34.5%), and 14 chronic diseases (24.1%). The mean hemoglobin level at the beginning of transfusion was 7.0 g/dL, and eight patients (13.8%) showed RBC alloimmunization as the transfusion proceeded. The mean serum ferritin level at the initial phase of transfusion was 475.3 ng/mL and increased to 1,462 ng/mL during the late phase of transfusion. CONCLUSION: Since the number of elderly patients treated with chronic diseases including tumors is expected to increase significantly, patients with chronic transfusions are also expected to increase. It is necessary to research and prepare measures such as establishment of guidelines.