Sample acceptance time criteria, electronic issue and alloimmunisation in thalassaemia

Abstract

The prevalence of alloantibody formation of 2% in UCLH transfused patients, with presumptive incidence of 0.01 alloantibodies per 100 units or 0·001 immunisations per person per year compares favourably with other reported series and suggests that 1 week interval with appropriate electronic issue is acceptable practice.

Position paper on International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine (ICTM) Guideline ‘Red blood cell specifications for patients with hemoglobinopathies: a systematic review and guideline’

“…Alloimmunisation in this patient cohort is often historical and often against Rh and Kell antigens and due to transfusion prior to introduction of guidance for Rh and Kell matching or for ad hoc transfusions performed away from specialist centres when the team transfusing was unaware of the thalassaemia status or the transfusion guidance for thalassaemia. Development of further antibodies for those with transfusion‐dependent thalassaemia is rare (Trompeter et al , ) particularly compared to the sickle cell cohort and it would be difficult to demonstrate such matching would confer an advantage to the patients. Therefore, the recommendation from ICTMG is not currently applicable in the UK on a regular basis.…”