Approach to transfusion support in patients with positive compatibility tests and in those with autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Abstract

Positive compatibility tests in patients who need blood transfusions are common. Patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia may have warm or cool autoantibodies that react with red blood cell antigens and produce hemolytic transfusion reactions. Multitransfused patients, and those with either chronic renal disease or sickle cell disease, have alloantibodies that make blood transfusion difficult. In some series the frequency of such antibodies is as high as 32%. Detection and determination of specificity of autoantibodies and alloantibodies are now possible because of technical developments in laboratory. An integral approach to patients and the knowledge of these procedures are the best bases to offer secure blood transfusions.