Transfusion Frequency...

[Calimom]

My mom's had MDS and is has been requiring blood transfusions. While at my house the doctor would give her 1 unit of blood when she was in the 8s and that would last about 3 weeks. When she's with my sister they gave her 2 units and it lasted 6 weeks. Is it better to get 1 unit every 3 weeks or 2 every 6? I guess i'm wondering which scenario would your body process the excess iron better.

Thanks!

[riccd2001]

All units of PRBCs are not equal. The volumes are different. The expiry dates are different.

It's important to keep a record of the dates of infusion, the volumes infused and the dates of PRBC donation and expiration. Keep a precise record; you may be quite surprised at the volume variations and just how long the transfusions "work" for your mom, just sayin'.

Your mom's doc should have standing orders for the number of PRBC units to infuse depending on her Hgb level. For example, two units when Hgb is under 80g/L.

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[Mseth]

Originally Posted by riccd2001

All units of PRBCs are not equal. The volumes are different. The expiry dates are different.

It's important to keep a record of the dates of infusion, the volumes infused and the dates of PRBC donation and expiration. Keep a precise record; you may be quite surprised at the volume variations and just how long the transfusions "work" for your mom, just sayin'.

Your mom's doc should have standing orders for the number of PRBC units to infuse depending on her Hgb level. For example, two units when Hgb is under 80g/L.

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Thanks for educating us on this aspect.

I have now started looking at the volume on the pRBC pack. On the pack it has printed volume as 250-300 ml, some packs have an actual exact volume written, sometimes not written. When it's written it's around 270 ml or so. Is this the standard volume given?
Date of collection are within a couple of days prior to transfusion so I guess that is fine.

[riccd2001]

I can't answer for your location. I have my PRBC transfusions in Oakville Ontario Canada. Each bag is marked with the donation date, expiration date and volume.

I've had a bag with volume slightly below 250ml (248ml) and well over 300ml (361ml). In general the majority of bags I have received falls between 250ml and 300ml.