Blood irradiation is an essential measure for preventing life-threatening transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD). But why is it necessary, and how does the process work? KABEG Klinikum Klagenfurt investigated this issue and summarized the most important information in a training video. Here are the key findings:
What is TA-GvHD?
Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease is a very serious and almost always fatal complication following transfusion. It occurs when T-cells from the donor’s blood enter the recipient’s body and become active. The disease typically manifests itself 3 to 30 days after the transfusion and is characterized by high fever, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, and pancytopenia.
Why is blood irradiation necessary?
Irradiation of blood products prevents the development of TA-GvHD by inactivating the donor’s T-cells. Irradiation is particularly important for patients who are immunocompromised, undergoing chemotherapy, or suffering from certain pathological conditions. The treating physician decides whether an irradiated blood product is necessary.
Blood irradiation is the only visual check that blood has actually been irradiated.”
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Procedure for proper blood irradiation
Blood irradiation is performed with at least 25 Gy of gamma or X-ray radiation. First, the required blood product is requested and provided with a special irradiation indicator. This indicator is attached to the bag in a clearly visible location. The bag is then placed in a container and inserted into the irradiator. After irradiation, the indicator must be checked: if the indicator field has changed color from red to black, the irradiation is considered to have been carried out correctly. Only then may the blood product be passed on to the transfusion department.
The irradiation indicator is the only visual control that reliably proves that the blood product has actually been irradiated. It is therefore particularly important to carefully check the color change of the indicator before each transfusion.
In the KABEG training videos, you will not only see step by step how blood irradiation is performed correctly. You will also learn exactly what needs to be considered before irradiated blood is actually administered to the patient.
To the videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj-e5IcSaIU&t=16s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MusbaFkNjk&t=9s
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj-e5IcSaIU&t=16s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MusbaFkNjk&t=9s
Picture credit: on point medicals GmbH
Authors: Dr. Harald Sekljic, Lisa Springer
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