Blood Transfusion in Equids—A Practical Approach and Review

Abstract

Transfusion medicine is a crucial part of equine intensive and critical care. Blood transfusions can save lives in both acute and chronic cases of anemia, hemorrhage, and hemolysis. It is vital to have a comprehensive theoretical and practical understanding of the techniques, implications, risks, and complications. This review covers the physiology and pathophysiology of conditions requiring transfusion, as well as step by step guidance for practitioners of all experience levels. This review is designed to serve as a practical reference for those who are treating horses in either the field or hospital setting. It aims to provide both theoretical background and easy to locate formulae with guidance that is easy to refer to in a critical situation. When risks and benefits are well understood, these techniques can be confidently employed in critical situations to improve outcomes and save lives.

Effect of leukoreduction on the metabolism of equine packed red blood cells during refrigerated storage

“…The administration of blood products to horses is a life‐saving procedure not devoid of risk 1‐8 . The incidence of transfusion‐associated adverse reactions is approximately 16% in horses 9 .…”

“…Equine transfusion medicine has so far focused on blood typing 6,7,26‐28 . Interest in comparative biology of RBC had focused on adaptations in metabolic responses to storage of packed RBC (pRBC) in humans and different animal species 29‐31 .…”

“…The administration of blood products to horses is a life‐saving procedure not devoid of risk. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 The incidence of transfusion‐associated adverse reactions is approximately 16% in horses. 9 Such adverse reactions can be triggered or favored by biochemical, structural, and immunological factors that are influenced by storage duration (so‐called “storage lesions”) under refrigerated storage conditions (1‐6°C) in plastic collection and storage bags.…”

“…[21][22][23][24][25] Equine transfusion medicine has so far focused on blood typing. 6,7,[26][27][28] Interest in comparative biology of RBC had focused on adaptations in metabolic responses to storage of packed RBC (pRBC) in humans and different animal species. [29][30][31] The literature is scarce on equine RBC storage; only a handful of studies have adopted novel biochemical technologies for this purpose.…”