Effect of Prednisolone on Incompatible Blood Transfusions

Abstract

In control experiments small volumes of incompatible, chromium51 tagged red cells were given to recipients. Several days later the studies were repeated 30 minutes after the intravenous administration of prednisolone. Prednisolone was found completely ineffective in prolonging the survival of small amounts of red cells in the presence of incompatible antibodies of the ABO and Rh systems.

Inhibition of Red Cell Sequestration by Cortisone

“…Previous reports that cortisone (70) or prednisolone (71) had no suppressive effect on experimental hemolysis by isoanfibodies in man are presumably explained by the fact that the steroids were administered for an insuflident length of time (48 hours or less) to affect sequestration. Although short-term administration of cortisone did not affect the extent of hemolysis or leukopenia, it did block the febrile reaction to immune hemolysis (70,71).…”

Management of Haemolytic Transfusion Reactions

“…Vasopressor drugs are contraindicated when hypotension is due t o oligaemia since excessive vasoconstriction may further reduce renal blood flow and increase the risk of renal failure [73. Hewitt and his colleageous [9] have established that corticosteroids are of no value in the immediate or subsequent treatment of a haemolytic transfusion reaction.…”

Management of Haemolytic Transfusion Reactions

“…Vasopressor drugs are contraindicated when hypotension is due to oligaemia since excessive vasoconstriction may further reduce renal blood flow and increase the risk of renal failure [7]. Hewitt and his colleageous [9] have esta blished that corticosteroids are of no value in the immediate or sub sequent treatment of a haemolytic transfusion reaction.…”