Simple Transfusion
Also known as: transfusion therapy.
What is simple transfusion?
A simple transfusion refers to a blood transfusion that is done without exchanging the body’s blood. It involves simply injecting more blood into the body for patients with sickle cell disease and anemia. It is not is not an effective intervention for the management of acute painful episodes in patients with sickle cell disease.
What happens during the procedure?
As the name indicates, a simple transfusion simply involves injecting fresh blood into the body without any form of exchange. As with most blood transfusions, the blood is injected into the body via IV.
Is any special preparation needed?
Blood testing is required to determine the patient’s blood type. This way, compatible blood can be used for the transfusion in order to minimize reactions to the infusion.
What are the risk factors?
Infection, bleeding, bruising, shortness of breath and chest or back pain are potential risks of simple transfusion.
Reviewed by: Athena C Pefkarou, MD
This page was last updated on: April 06, 2021 10:19 AM
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Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is a group of familial red blood cell disorders. Sickle cell disease causes the red blood cells to be oddly shaped, and have difficulty flowing through the blood vessels properly which causes them to break up easily resulting in anemia and damage to the organs.
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Alpha Thalassemia
Alpha thalassemia is an abnormality in the production of alpha chains which causes the red cells to more easily breakdown.
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