BLOOD TRANSFUSION

Literature Review

Literature Review

History

Blood transfusion has always been the need of human beings in different ways. It can be seen in the history that obvious blood transfusion was identified in the 15th century when Pope Innocent VIII was suffering from a serious disease and he was given blood by three young boys in 1492 (Keynes, 2010). However, it is also important to know that some researchers successfully trace the roots of blood transfusion in 1260 AD when Arabic scholar Ibn Al Nafees discovered the circulatory system of blood. Later, Harvey's investigations reveal further characteristics of blood circulation in 1616 (Keynes, 2010). It is a fact that studying human anatomy and discovery of blood circulation system laid the foundation of blood transfusion, which now can be seen as a successful technology of transfusion of blood in humans. It is also essential to discuss that although the concept of blood transfusion was used by various nobles of that time, blood transfusion was banned in France due to some controversies. The most interesting thing is that blood transfusion was not only banned in France but the ban was also imposed in England that sustained for 150 years (Keynes, 2010).

However, blood transfusion made its reappearance in 19th century with a significant improvement in blood transfusion techniques as well as advanced tools (Harmening, 2012). In fact, in the 20th century the breakout of World War can be seen as major event that created enough place for the blood transfusion. This was the era when human blood and transfusion technology was brought forward for further research and scientists found the technique of matching blood types, which laid the foundation of indirect transfusion (Harmening, 2012).

Increase Demand in Blood Transfusion

Aging population needs more blood when they go for surgical as well as non-surgical operations. It is also a fact that HIV causes shortage of blood due to blood transfusion in HIV patients. Similarly, requirement of blood in armed forces is also a major cause of increasing demand for blood. It can be seen that nature of military institutions is very different from others. This means, military is required to have maximum stocks in their blood banks. No doubt, military is engaged at various fronts and face casualties, which create a demand of blood. In addition, the physiological trauma is also a fact that creates a significant demand for blood as patient affected with any trauma needs blood as part of immediate cure (Harmening, 2012).

Blood Transfusion

A series of data obtained in the last decade have documented that the use of blood transfusions in the patients who are facing critically is not concerned with enhanced outcomes (Maniatis, 2010). Tricca's study reveals that restricted scheme for transfusion of red cells (transfused only if haemoglobin concentration is less than 7 g / dL and keep it between 7 and 9 g / dL) is at least as effective and possibly superior to a liberal transfusion strategy (transfuse if haemoglobin is less than 10 g / dL and maintained at 10 and 12 g ...