Transfusiology is what?

Just over a century ago, mankind did not know about the existence of various blood groups. About Rh factor we learned even later, only 76 years ago. Since then, the transfusion has ceased to be of a deadly nature and has become practically an ordinary procedure that allows saving the lives of a huge number of people around the world.

Transfusion science

Transfusiology is one of the directions of hematology, the science of blood. She studies transfusion, canning, splitting of blood into parts, the invention of artificial blood substitutes, and also treatment of possible problems with transfusion and after it. Hematology, and transfusiology in particular, is an advanced branch of modern medicine. And this is not surprising.

For surgeons, resuscitators, obstetrician-gynecologists, anesthesiologists and transplantologists, the emergence and development of such a science as transfusiology is a huge step forward.

A hundred years ago, blood transfusion was used only when absolutely necessary and, it can be said, as the last chance. In situations where the disease progressed, and all other medical and surgical interventions proved ineffective, the doctor and patient could take risks. The patient and the doctor always knew that the probability of success is approximately equal to the likelihood of a fatal outcome.

Today, transfusiology is a modern and rapidly developing science. She still has many discoveries and inventions.

Basics of Transfusiology

The science of transfusiology is based on the discoveries of 1900 and 1940 about blood groups and Rh factors. It was then that mankind learned of the existence on earth of people with four different groups:

• I - 0.
• II - A.
• III-В.
• IV - AB.

And about the existence of two Rh factors:

• Positive (Rh-).
• Negative (Rh +).

Further studies have made it possible to determine the causes of fatalities in transfusion and to display the compatibility table for blood groups (see below).

The blood group and Rh factor can not change with the course of life, do not depend on race, sex, but are inherited by individual characteristics. Transfusiology has proven this and has taught doctors to use this knowledge to help patients who need transfusion.

Transfusion

Today, transfusion of human whole blood without using canning and stabilization is practically not used. Basically, the components necessary for the patient, isolated by the fractionation method, specially treated and most often frozen, are used. Use thrombocenter, erythrocyte mass, plasma, leukocyte concentrate.

Depending on the place of administration of blood components, there are the following varieties of transfusions (infusions):

• Intravenous (through the vein).
• Intraarterial (through the artery).
• Intraosseous (in the body of the patient's bone).
• Intra-cardiac (in the left ventricle directly in the heart or by puncture through the skin).
• Intrauterine (in case of Rhesus-conflict pregnancy, puncture of the fetus in the womb of the mother is performed).

When a blood transfusion is necessary

Despite the achievements and great clinical experience of transfusions, this procedure is considered a serious transplant operation and can not guarantee the complete absence of complications and risks in the long term.

However, there are clear indications for transfusion:

1. Absolute indications (without donor blood, there are high risks of death of the patient, there are no contraindications):

• Severe hemorrhage;
• Shock after trauma;
• Terminal condition (death of all tissues by increasing).

2. Indications are relative (without blood transfusion the patient can live, and it is only part of the treatment.) The doctor and the patient must carefully consider possible contraindications, be aware of possible risks and the expected result):

• Anemia due to blood loss;
• Chronic anemia in the leukemia stage;
• Syndrome of spreading blood clotting inside the vessels;
• Blood loss more than 30%;
• A bleeding disorder that does not respond to therapy;
• Hemophilia, cirrhosis, acute hepatitis, causing insufficient blood clotting;
• Cancer of the blood and some other types of cancer;
• Severe poisoning;
• sepsis.

When can not I transfuse my blood?

Severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, 2 nd and 3 rd stages of circulatory failure, atherosclerosis, cerebral hemorrhage, tuberculosis during an exacerbation, propensity to form blood clots, bronchial asthma, rheumatism, allergy, pulmonary edema are all direct contraindications to transfusion . Any center of transfusiology will refuse admission to a patient with such diseases and recommend seeking other, less risky methods of treatment.

Procedure

When a patient enters the Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology, he is taken to determine the group and Rh factor. This rapid refining analysis is usually done right before the eyes of a person. Also, a survey is conducted in accordance with the diagnosis, blood is taken for clinical analysis, blood pressure, pulse, body temperature are measured. After this, biological assays are made for the compatibility of the recipient and the blood components to be transfused. In the patient's vein, about 15 milliliters of the component are injected and the reaction of the organism is monitored.

If everything went well, the paramedic prepares packages with components (heats up or defrosts them), and the patient signs the necessary documents. Blood is poured according to the method of transfusion chosen by the doctor.

After the procedure, bed rest is prescribed , the recipient is examined regularly, body temperature is monitored (up to three times per hour during the day) and urine and blood are analyzed.

What blood is used for transfusion

Of course, the main source of blood for its further processing and obtaining components are donors. But there are other sources.

Scrap is primarily blood from the umbilical cord and the placenta. It is collected after the birth of the child. The umbilical cord is cut, and the remaining blood in sterile conditions is poured into special flasks. After each delivery, an average of 200 ml is collected. In connection with the rapid development of science, it is now recommended to store it in special banks for their children. It is expected that soon doctors will be able to treat with the help of cord blood a huge number of diseases.

Cadaver is the blood of practically healthy and suddenly deceased people (as a result of accidents and accidents, myocardial infarction, electric shock, cerebral hemorrhage, acute heart failure, etc.). Fence is made no later than six hours after death in a volume of one to four liters. Never use the blood of people with infectious diseases, oncology, HIV infection, tuberculosis, syphilis, died of poisoning.

Autohemotransfusion - transfusion of the previously withdrawn purified blood of the patient to him. It is also possible for the abdominal injuries and extensive internal bleeding to collect spilled blood in the body cavity and after cleansing to introduce it to the patient again. This procedure is safer, since exclusion is excluded.

Donation

Every hospital in our country constantly needs donor blood. The so-called donor days are passing, there are personnel donors, active donors and even well-deserved donors, but nevertheless, resources are sorely lacking.

Every relatively healthy citizen of our country at the age of 18 to 55 can become a member of the program to help save lives. To do this, you only need to contact the nearest blood transfusion station. Before delivery, a free assessment is performed (including syphilis, hepatitis and HIV). Most volunteers donate their blood for free, but there are also methods of financial incentives. All donors are obliged to receive breakfast and lunch or financial compensation of lunch on the day of donating blood, as well as an additional day off. Blood can be taken every eight weeks, up to five times a year.

Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology

Blood transfusion is now available in many hospitals. But in Russia there is the Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology FMBA, which is considered the leading central scientific and medical institution of the country. It is located in St. Petersburg at the address: 2-nd Sovetskaya Street, house 16.

The Scientific Research Institute of Transfusiology provides all kinds of the most modern medical assistance related to blood problems and concomitant diseases. Within its walls are engaged in the treatment of cancer, the storage of stem cells, the collection and storage of organs and tissues of the human body. Also in the research institute there are departments of orthopedics and traumatology, radiology, roentgenology, surgery, various kinds of laboratory diagnostics.