leukoreduced blood and components (Blood Component)

Frequency Not Defined

Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions

Febrile Non-Hemolytic Reactions

Allergic Reactions ranging from urticaria to anaphylaxis

Septic Reactions

Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)

Circulatory Overload

Transfusion Associated Graft Versus Host Disease

Postransfusion Purpura

Contraindications

Leukocyte reduction should not be performed for Granulocyte, Donor Lymphocyte Infusions, or Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell transfusions

Cautions

Universal leukocyte reduction of blood components is common in many institutions but is not provided by all institutions. Therefore, leukocyte reduction should be included in the transfusion order for any patient that requires leukocyte reduced blood components

Leukocyte reduction is NOT adequate for the prevention of TA-GVHD. Patients at risk of TA-GVHD should receive irradiated cellular components regardless of whether they are leukocyte reduced

All transfusions must be given via blood administration sets containing 170- to 260-micron filters or 20- to 40-micron microaggregate filters even if the unit was previously leukocyte reduced via filtration. Additional filtration is not needed when transfusion is given via a bedside leukocyte reduction filter. No other medications or fluids other than normal saline should be simultaneously given through the same line without prior consultation with the medical director of the blood bank

Patient’s should be monitored for signs of a transfusion reaction including vitals pre, during, and post transfusion

Bedside leukocyte reduction has been associated with rare severe hypotensive episodes. These episodes have not been associated with pre-storage leukocyte reduced blood component transfusion. It is thought to be at least partially related to bradykinin generation and thus may be exacerbated by ACE Inhibitors

Please see specific component monograph for full safety information

Consult with blood bank medical director or hematologist if you have questions regarding special transfusion requirements

CMV-negative or CMV reduced risk (leukocyte reduced) RBCs should be used in pregnant women who are CMV-negative or whose CMV status is unknown. Consult with your blood bank medical director regarding your institutions policy for reducing CMV transmission in this population

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Please see specific component monograph

Mechanism of Action

Leukocyte reduced components must have fewer than 5x106 WBCs for RBCs and apheresis (single donor) platelet units or fewer than 8.3x105 WBCs for whole blood derived (random donor) platelet units. Leukocyte reduction is achieved either using special leukocyte reduction filters or can be collected with equivalently low numbers of WBCs via particular apheresis collection protocols