Fact Sheet
BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND BLOOD SUPPLY
What is a Blood Transfusion?
§ Allogeneic blood transfusions consist of taking blood or blood-based products from one individual and administering it to another[1]
§ Autologous blood transfusions occur when the blood donor and transfusion recipient are the same[2]
o Approximately four percent of blood that is collected is autologous blood[3]
§ One blood donation can benefit several patients because the blood is separated into the following components2
o Red blood cells – carry oxygen to the body's organs and tissue[4]
o White blood cells – the body's primary defense against infection4
o Platelets – support blood clotting4
o Plasma – liquid portion of blood containing proteins and salts; constitutes 55 percent of blood volume4
o Cryoprecipitate – the portion of plasma that is rich in certain clotting factors, including Factor VIII, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, and Factor XIII2
§ Blood transfusions are used to replenish blood elements that are lost, destroyed or not normally replaced by bone marrow (which makes blood cells)[5]
§ One in 20 Americans will require a blood transfusion at some point in their lives[6]
Who Needs Blood Transfusions?
§ Cancer, transplant and trauma patients, and patients undergoing open-heart surgery often require blood transfusions4
§ Of all the blood transfusions conducted in the U.S., 53 percent are received by women and 47 percent are received by men4
§ People older than 65 use 43 percent of all donated blood6
§ It is estimated that coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery accounts for more than 1.5 million units of blood use each year[7], [8]
o One unit of blood roughly equals one pint4
What are the Risks Associated with Transfusions in CABG Surgery?
§ Although blood transfusions can be life-saving, they can also pose risks, including allergic reactions, infections and disease transmission[9]
§ Blood transfusions during CABG surgery have been associated with an increased risk of stroke,[10], [11] reduced cognitive function[12] (ability to think, reason, remember, imagine, or learn words), death,10 increased length of stay/ICU time,10 increased time on a ventilator[13] and infections[14]
§ White blood cells (leukocytes) present in transfused red blood cells or platelets can carry viruses and other pathogens, suppress or inappropriately activate the immune system, and release toxic substances[15]
What is the Status of the U.S. Blood Supply?
§ U.S. institutions collected more than 15 million units of whole blood and red blood cells in 2001 and U.S. hospitals transfused nearly 14 million units to 4.9 million patients3
§ Every day in the United States, 38,000 units of blood are needed7
o Someone needs blood every two seconds4
o Three gallons of blood is used every minute4
§ A three-day supply of all blood components is the optimum inventory level
o Inventory changes hourly due to unpredictable demands from trauma incidents
o When the supply drops below a three-day level, blood centers begin alerting local donors to increase the inventory to an appropriate operating level[16]
§ Shelf life of donated blood components:
o Red blood cells – 42 days
o Platelets – 5 days
o Frozen plasma – 1 year4
§ Blood shortages occur most frequently during the summer and winter holidays6
o Local blood shortages often lead to the postponement of elective surgeries[17]
§ 60 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but only 5 percent do4
§ The safety and security of the blood supply is addressed by the following general safety procedures, which are used by all blood centers:
o Blood donor eligibility standards
o Donor record checks
o Laboratory screening
§ 13 tests, including 10 for infectious diseases, are performed on each unit of donated blood[18]
§ Nearly two percent of allogeneic units are discarded based on the results of laboratory screening tests3
§ Comprehensive blood conservation strategies implemented in clinical practice may help improve availability of blood products for those who may truly benefit19
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