Transfusion Support of Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Juliana Guarente; Christopher Tormey

doi:10.1016/j.cll.2023.07.002

Transfusion Support of Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Clin Lab Med. 2023 Dec;43(4):669-683. doi: 10.1016/j.cll.2023.07.002. Epub 2023 Aug 11.

Authors

Juliana Guarente¹, Christopher Tormey²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Pathology Residency Program, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 111 South 11th Street Gibbon Building, Room 8220, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
² Department of Laboratory Medicine, Transfusion Medicine Fellowship, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, 55 Park Street, Floor 3, Room 329D, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.

PMID: 37865510
DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2023.07.002

Abstract

Patients with MDS often suffer from anemia, and less often thrombocytopenia, and thus are a frequently transfused population. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion may be used to improve functional capacity and quality of life in this population, while platelet transfusion is typically used to decrease bleeding risk. Despite the frequency of transfusion in patients with MDS, there are few well-defined guidelines for RBC and platelet transfusion support in this patient population. Transfusion is not without risk-patients with MDS who are frequently transfused may develop alloantibodies to RBC antigens, which can lead to hemolytic transfusion reactions and delays in obtaining compatible RBCs. Regular communication between clinicians and blood bank physicians is crucial to ensure that patients with MDS receive the most appropriate blood products.

Keywords: Alloimmunization; Anemia; MDS; Myelodysplastic syndromes; Thrombocytopenia; Transfusion; Transfusion medicine.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Blood Transfusion
Erythrocyte Transfusion
Erythrocytes*
Humans
Myelodysplastic Syndromes* / therapy
Quality of Life