Is Transfusion Always Necessary?

Authors: Cees Th Smit Sibinga

DOI: 10.23880/hij-16000273

Volume 10, Issue 1

Abstract

Within living memory blood as a treatment has generated a mystical feeling and experience. Since ancient times blood has been considered an intriguing, life-saving and supportive life fluid. It has triggered a scientific curiosity stimulating for centuries both a mystical and a scientific thinking to unveil its capacities and potential use to serve mankind. The major obstacles in the early days were the transfusion of blood from one individual to the other and the absence of insight and knowledge of blood cells and plasma constituents, the principle of compatibility. It lasted till mid-19th century before a vague idea of species specificity and blood coagulation started to grow. The basic breakthrough was established by Karl Landsteiner and his team in Vienna, for which he was awarded the Nobel prize in 1930. His discovery of a blood group system on the surface of red cells was the beginning of a long period in which the scientific interest focused on the laboratory bench end the test tube, away from or vaguely connected to the patient and the bedside and in many situations an over transfusion. Today, a trend is noticeable to reduce the amount of blood transfused and observe the normal and reactive physiological processes and phenomena in a variety of abnormal situations like acute and massive bleeding. The lessons learned from history and medical education should be more stringently followed and practiced to the benefit of our patients.

Keywords: Blood Transfusion; Perfusion; Organ Failure; Comfort

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