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Study Objective: Explore how the introduction of 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrates (4F-PCC) protocols for reversing anticoagulation and the treatment of critical bleeding influenced blood product utilization., Design: A retrospective analysis of the utilization rate of plasma and 4F-PCC from September 2012 through December 2018., Setting: Blood bank and pharmacy records of a single large tertiary care medical center., Patients: Admitted patients except obstetric during the study period (n = 283,319)., Intervention: Five institutional protocols providing guidelines for 4F-PCC administration were deployed over a 3-year period., Measurements: The utilization rate of plasma and 4F-PCC was the primary outcome and analyzed using an interrupted time series analysis. Utilization of platelets and cryoprecipitate as well as the impact of the intervention on the service prescribing the blood products were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Data were evaluated using a segmented time series regression., Results: When adjusted for seasonality, the monthly rate of plasma administration was 24.7 ± 2.0 units per 100 admissions in the 6-month period prior to the 1st intervention (May-October 2013) and decreased to 9.9 ± 2.2 units per 100 admissions in the same six-month period following the 5th intervention (May-October 2018), median difference - 14.5, 95% CI -16.0 to -13.2, P < 0.001. During the 6-month period prior to the 1st intervention (May-October 2013) the monthly rate of 4-F PCC use was 1.2 ± 0.8 doses per 1000 admissions and increased to 2.8 ± 1.0 doses per 1000 admissions 6-months following the 5th intervention (May-October 2018), median difference 1.6, 95% CI 0.3 to 1.9, P = 0.014. The monthly utilization of platelets was decreased and cryoprecipitate slightly increased following the implementation of the PCC protocols., Conclusions and Relevance: Our findings demonstrate that establishing institutional protocols for the use of 4F-PCC to reverse the effects of anticoagulation and to treat critical bleeding with associated coagulopathy was associated with reduced plasma utilization., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pathogen inactivation (PI), or pathogen reduction technology, reduces the infectious risk of plasma and platelet transfusions, and also affects clotting factor activities and platelet viabilities. Plasma is treated with solvent-detergent to disrupt enveloped viruses, or with photoactive agents methylene blue plus light, or amotosalen (AM) or riboflavin (RF) plus ultraviolet (UV) light, to disrupt pathogen nucleic acids. PI plasmas have average clotting factor activities of 75 to 85% of untreated plasma. PI plasmas are generally equivalent to regular plasma in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in regard to coagulation test corrections and bleeding outcomes, except for one trial in which RF plasma was inferior for prothrombin time correction. Platelets are treated with UV plus RF or AM. In RCTs, the mean 1-hour corrected count increments from PI platelets are 66 to 94% (trials median, 75%) of those from untreated platelets. PI platelets also have lifespans of 4 to 5 days after 5 days of storage, compared with 6 to 7 days for untreated platelets. Bleeding outcomes comparing PI versus non-PI platelets in RCTs have been equivalent, except one study with more bleeding on AM platelets. Platelet treatment with UVC light alone for PI has entered clinical trials., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

In the United States, nearly all (96.0%) quantitative assays for fetal red blood cells in maternal circulation are performed using several commercially marketed kits for an acid-elution assay, also known [...], Context.--The Kleihauer-Betke (KB) test is validated for estimating the dose of Rh immune globulin needed for Rh-negative pregnant females. However, some clinicians are also ordering the test for Rh-positive women. The degree to which this practice occurs is unknown. Objective.--To evaluate the number of laboratories that perform the KB test on Rh-positive pregnant women, and to establish current ordering practices for this indication. Design.--We added 9 supplemental questions regarding KB test use for fetomaternal hemorrhage to the 2016 College of American Pathologists proficiency test survey. We also reviewed the available literature regarding the diagnostic utility of the KB test for Rh-positive women. Results.--A total of 1578 surveys were evaluated and revealed that 52% (824) of respondents perform these tests for Rh-positive women, and more than 50% (440 of 819; 53.7%) of these laboratories report that the results for Rh-positive women are treated as important or very important. Conclusions.--The KB test is commonly used for Rh-positive women, and the information obtained from the test is considered as urgent and important. However, the available literature in support of this practice is still nonconclusive. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2018-0523-CP

Context.-Rh(D)-negative women with a large fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) from an Rh(D)-positive fetus are at risk for anti-D alloimmunization if they do not receive adequate Rh immune globulin (RhIG). Determination of the adequate RhIG dose for these women is a critical laboratory procedure for protecting their future Rh(D)-positive children. Objective.-To determine how often laboratories recommended an inaccurate dose of RhIG for excess FMH. Design.-Nearly 1600 laboratories using the College of American Pathologists' proficiency testing for fetal red blood cell detection were surveyed to determine (1) their calculation method and (2) the number of RhIG doses recommended for a survey specimen, based on their measured percentage of fetal red blood cells. We surveyed nearly 1450 laboratories for their accuracy in determining RhIG dose, using 2 common calculation methods we provided. Results.-The AABB Technical Manual method was used by 67% of responding laboratories. However, 20.7% of laboratories using this method would have recommended an inaccurate dose of RhIG-11.5% too much and 9.2% too little-for the level of FMH reported in the survey specimen. If all laboratories had used the common recommendation of 300 μg/30 mL of fetal blood present, 2% would have recommended RhIG doses too low for the volume of FMH they measured. In 3 of the 4 calculation exercises we provided, 20% to 30% of laboratories underestimated the necessary dose of RhIG. Conclusions.-Based on our surveys, some mothers with excess FMH may be receiving inaccurate doses of RhIG. Laboratories performing quantification of FMH should review their procedures and training for calculating RhIG dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In severe liver disease, poor synthetic function leads to characteristic deficiencies in numerous coagulation factors, and plasma transfusions are frequently administered to treat or prevent bleeding. This chapter reviews the available English-language randomized controlled trials, evidence-based practice guidelines, and observational studies relevant to establishing criteria for plasma transfusions in liver disease. The alternatives of pathogen-inactivated plasmas and recombinant factor VIIa were also reviewed from this perspective. In current guidelines, plasma transfusions are justified when haemostasis is needed for bleeding or invasive procedures, and the prothrombin time (PT) or partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is >1.5 times normal (mid-normal or, for PTT, sometimes upper limit). Conversion of the PT to the International Normalized Ratio has not been validated in liver disease. Solvent-detergent or methylene-blue treatments alter various clotting factors, which might affect efficacy in liver disease. Recombinant factor VIIa improves laboratory clotting measurements, but reduction of bleeding is less well established to date. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Context.--ABO mistransfusions are rare and potentially fatal events. Protocols are required by regulatory agencies to minimize this risk to patients, but how these are applied in the context of massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) is not specifically defined. Objective.--To evaluate the approaches used by transfusion services for switching from universally compatible to patient ABO type-specific blood components during massive hemorrhage. Design.--We added 1 supplemental multiple-choice question to address the study objective to the 2019 College of American Pathologists proficiency test J-survey (J-A 2019). We also reviewed the available literature regarding this topic. Results.--A total of 881 laboratories responded to the supplemental question. Approximately 80% (704 of 881) reported a policy for ABO-type switching during an MTP. Policies varied considerably between responding laboratories, but most (384 of 704, 55%) required 2 ABO types to match before switching from universal to recipientspecific blood components. Additional safety measures used in a minority of these protocols included reaction strength criteria (103 of 704, 15%), on-call medical director approval (41 0f 704, 5.8%), universal red cell unit number limits (12 of 704, 1.7%), or the presence of a mixed field (3 of 704, 0.4%). Conclusions.--This survey reveals that significant heterogeneity exists regarding the available approaches for ABO-type switching during an MTP. Specific expert guidance regarding this issue is very limited, and best practices have not yet been established or rigorously investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]