Objectives: to obtain information from scientific literature concerning infusion pumps used in administering erythrocyte (red blood cells) and to evaluate the implications in the practical use of this equipment by nurses when conducting transfusions.Method: an integrative revision of the following scientific databases: Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, the Virtual Library for Health, SciELO, Web of Science and Cochrane. The following descriptors were used: "infusion pumps", "blood transfusion", "transfused erythrocyte" and "hemolyis". There were no restrictions on the scope of the initial data and it was finalized in December 2014. 17 articles were identified in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: all of the publications included in the studies were experimental in vitro and covered the use of infusion pumps in transfusion therapy. A summary of the data was presented in a synoptic chart and an analysis of it generated the following categories: cellular damage and the infusion mechanism. Conclusion: infusion pumps can be harmful to erythrocytes based on the infusion mechanism that is used, as the linear peristaltic pump is more likely to cause hemolysis. Cellular damage is related to the plasmatic liberation of markers that largely dominate free hemoglobin and potassium. We reiterate the need for further research and technological investments to guide the development of protocols that promote safe practices and that can contribute to future clinical studies.

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Objective:To evaluate the hemolysis biomarkers of packed red blood cells transfused by two different linear peristaltic infusion pumps at two infusion rates. Method:An experimental and randomized study was designed simulating the clinical practice of transfusion. Two linear peristaltic infusion pumps from different manufactures were studied in triplicate at 100 mL/h and 300mL/h infusion rates. The chosen hemolysis biomarkers were total hemoglobin, free hemoglobin, hematocrit, potassium and degree of hemolysis. They were analyzed before and after each infusion. Results:Potassium showed statistically significant variations in all scenarios of the experiment (P<0.010). In a separated analysis, potassium increased mainly at 300mL/h rate (P=0.021) and free hemoglobin had significant variation when comparing infusion pumps from different manufacturers (P=0.026). Although hematocrit, total hemoglobin and degree of hemolysis had increased after infusion, no statistically significance variations were identified. Conclusions:Hemolysis risk induced by a linear peristaltic infusion pump was identified by an increase in free hemoglobin and potassium markers. As the potassium biomarker is often increased in aged packed red blood cells, we do not recommend using them in this scenario. Additional studies should be performed about other markers and using larger samples in order to reinforce the transfusion practice in nursing.

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