Severe Limb Damage after Blood Transfusion

External jugular vein for rapid transfusion during surgery

“…Rarely, severe damage to an extremity may follow transfusion of cold blood in patients with poor peripheral circulation. 4 The external jugular is a large, thin-walled distensible vessel, so that a huge blood flow through it is possible. Distensibility of the vessel is apparent when a small child cries vigorously, when a man lifts something heavy,, or in an individual with congestive heart failure.…”