Distribution of pre- and mid-pandemic transfusions by blood types

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 disease spread rapidly worldwide, causing a pandemic. In this study, we aimed to explore the distribution of blood products in our blood center before and during the pandemic by blood type.
 Material and Method: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 4,271 blood products (1,290 patients) transfused before and during the pandemic through the medical records of Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital Blood Transfusion Center. Moreover, we investigated the associations between transfusions and age, sex, blood type, and COVID-19 infection.
 Results: The findings revealed that the majority of the patients receiving transfusions both before and during the pandemic were A Rh (+) (41.4%). Besides, the rates of those with O Rh (+) were 28.8% and 28.7% during the pandemic. In addition, 37 products (28 erythrocyte suspensions, 7 fresh frozen plasma, 2 pooled platelet suspensions) were transfused on 17 patients with confirmed COVID-19.
 Conclusion: Transfusions have an important place in the treatment of critically ill patients. The blood type A Rh (+) was previously shown to be associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. In this study, although we realized that products of blood type A were mostly used in general transfusions, transfusions in the pandemic were performed predominantly with blood products of infected patients with blood type O. The modern world is more likely to encounter further pandemics in the future. We think that each region should evaluate its own centers.