What is the difference between irradiated and non irradiated blood?
Irradiated or non-irradiated transfusions have many risks involved including elevated potassium levels and graft versus host disease (TA-GVHD). Irradiated blood is able to destroy the leukocytes responsible for TA-GVHD, but it adversely causes elevated extracellular potassium due to hemolysis of the RBC’s.
When should irradiated blood be used?
As described in the Technical Manual (20th Edition) and Circular of Information (October 2017), cellular blood components are irradiated prior to transfusion to prevent the proliferation of viable T lymphocytes which are the immediate cause of Transfusion Associated-Graft Versus Host Disease (TA-GVHD).
Why is FFP not irradiated?
Irradiation of red cells results in increase in extracellular potassium levels and hemolysis. Frozen components (FFP, cryoprecipitate) do not require irradiation as they do not contain live lymphocytes, and TA-GVHD has not been reported following transfusion of these components.
Is irradiated blood necessary?
Why is it important these patients receive irradiated blood components? Irradiating blood components prevents the donor white cells replicating and mounting an immune response against a vulnerable patient causing transfusion-associated-graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD).
Who requires irradiated blood?
Immunocompromised patients such as
- Infants (particularly premature) up to 4, 6, or 12 months depending on institutional policy.
- Intrauterine transfusion* and/or neonatal exchange transfusion recipients.
- Congenital immunodeficiency disorders of cellular immunity (i.e., SCID, DiGeorge)*
Do chemo patients need irradiated blood?
People who have had CAR T-cell therapy should have irradiated blood products for at least 3 months after their treatment. People who’ve been treated with certain chemotherapy drugs, including fludarabine, cladribine, bendamustine and pentostatin, should have irradiated blood products for the rest of their lives.
Why do chemo patients need irradiated blood?
Blood Irradiation To prevent this, some centers irradiate (treat with radiation) blood components for patients receiving intensive chemotherapy, undergoing stem cell transplant or who are considered to have impaired immune system. Irradiation prevents white cells from attacking.
Are there any blood products that are not irradiated?
Although not all patients in these units are at risk of TA-GVHD, this policy ensures patients who require irradiated products are not missed. (Note – haematopoietic stem cells and donor lymphocytes must not be irradiated).
What do you need to know about irradiation of blood?
Irradiation of blood products 1 Key Points. Timing of irradiation is important for neonatal and paediatric patients. 2 Transfusi on associated graft versus host disease… 3 Irradiation of blood prod ucts. Irradiation of blood products is undertaken using… 4 Labelling. Blood product irradiation is identified using the Radsure™ system.
Do you need to irradiate blood for platelet transfusions?
Red cell and platelet transfusions are not routinely irradiated and need to be irradiated ‘on demand’ for patients at risk of TA-GvHD. It is important that you remind your medical team of your need for irradiated blood as they have to order it specially.
When does irradiation of blood prod UCTS expire?
Irradiation of blood prod ucts. It has no clinically significant effect on red cell pH, glucose, 2,3 DPG levels or ATP. Packs irradiated within 14 days of collection expire 28 days after collection. Packs irradiated more than 14 days after collection expire either 5 days after irradiation OR at original expiry of pack, whichever comes first.