When Blood Transfusions Can Be Fatal

By Jane Farrell

Although blood is meant to save lives in emergency situations, that might not always be the case.

Major trauma victims who receive transfusions of packed blood 22 days or older may face an increased risk of death within 24 hours, according to a new study in Annals of Emergency Medicine. Following a major trauma, the leading cause of death is loss of blood.

“Our analysis shows that transfusions of packed red blood cell units stored for 22 days or longer are potentially toxic,” said Allison R. Jones, PhD, RN,CCNS, Assistant Professor, Department of Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham and lead study author. “To avoid adverse events or death, patients who require massive transfusions may benefit from receiving fresh stored packed red blood cells, or those stored for 14 days or less.”

Investigators found that packed red blood cells aged 22 days or more were associated with a 5 percent increase in mortality risk, according to the study, “Older Blood Is Associated With Increased Mortality and Adverse Events in Massively Transfused Trauma Patients.” The study was a secondary analysis of data from the Pragmatic, Randomized Optimal Plasma and Platelet Ration (PROPPR) trial. It looked at 678 patients in 12 Level I trauma centers across North America.

As more units of packed blood cells were transfused, the likelihood of harm increased.

As more units of packed red blood cells were transfused, the likelihood of harm increased, the study found. Major trauma victims can require massive transfusions of blood or blood products in a very short time. Clinical effects of stored blood toxicity include elevated risk of clot formation, infection, sepsis, organ failure and death.

“This study highlights a public health challenge that needs more attention — the nation’s health care providers are in the middle of a blood and plasma shortage. We all need to do a better job of encouraging qualified individuals to donate blood and blood products in order to avoid delays in lifesaving care and to replenish our blood supply,” Jones said.

The retrospective analysis looked at patients who received a mix of old and fresh blood. The authors noted that future studies are needed to compare patient outcomes among those who receive only fresh blood versus those who receive only old blood.