What Is Meant By Irradiated Blood?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Irradiated blood is blood that has been treated with radiation (by x-rays or other forms of radioactivity) to prevent - Associated Graft-versus-Host Disease (TA-GvHD).

Why is irradiated blood given?

Why is blood irradiated? Irradiated blood is used to prevent a very rare but serious complication of blood called ‘transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease ‘ (TA-GvHD). This is when donor white blood cells attack your own tissues.

What happens when blood is irradiated?

Irradiation of red blood cells and whole blood results in reduced post transfusion red cell recovery and increases the rate of efflux of intracellular potassium . It has no clinically significant effect on red cell pH, glucose, 2,3 DPG levels or ATP.

When should irradiated blood be used?

As described in the Technical Manual (20th Edition) and Circular of Information (October 2017), cellular blood components are irradiated prior to transfusion to prevent the proliferation of viable T lymphocytes which are the immediate cause of Transfusion Associated-Graft Versus Host Disease (TA-GVHD).

What is the difference between irradiated and non irradiated blood?

Irradiated or non-irradiated transfusions have many risks involved including elevated potassium levels and graft versus host disease (TA-GVHD). Irradiated blood is able to destroy the leukocytes responsible for TA-GVHD, but it adversely causes elevated extracellular potassium due to hemolysis of the RBC's.

Who should get irradiated blood?

To prevent ta-GvHD, irradiated blood products should be given to patients at risk: patients after bone marrow transplantation, newborns and children in the 1st year , patients with severe combined immunodeficiency, and patients receiving blood from first-degree relatives.

Are all blood products irradiated?

Is all blood routinely irradiated ? Red cell and platelet transfusions are not routinely irradiated and need to be irradiated ‘on demand' for patients at risk of TA-GvHD. It is important that you remind your medical team of your need for irradiated blood as they have to order it specially.

Is CMV negative irradiated?

Therefore only red cells, platelets and granulocytes require irradiating. CMV negative: The status of CMV negative applies to red cells and platelets only . Irradiating red cells shortens the expiry to 14 days.

Why are blood products Leukoreduced and irradiated?

Leukoreduction filters to remove leukocytes are not completely effective. ... Irradiated Blood: Irradiation is needed to destroy all nucleated cells and living leukocytes (white blood cells), particularly lymphocytes that could cause transfusion associated graft versus host disease (TAGVD).

What does Leukoreduced blood mean?

Leukoreduction: A process used to filter and remove white blood cells from whole blood before transfusion . The reason why white blood cells (leukocytes) are removed from blood is because they provide no benefit to the recipient but can carry bacteria and viruses to the recipient.

Why do chemo patients need irradiated blood?

To prevent this, some centers irradiate (treat with radiation) blood components for patients receiving intensive chemotherapy, undergoing stem cell transplant or who are considered to have impaired immune system. Irradiation prevents white cells from attacking .

What is meant by irradiation?

Irradiation: The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors . ... Irradiation is also called radiation therapy, radiotherapy, and x-ray therapy.

Is all meat irradiated?

No. The food is not radioactive by any means . In fact the food is probably safe, if not safer, than before it was irradiated. It's an entirely safe process with wide application that could reduce hunger in some countries through reduction of spoilage, and can certainly reduce food-borne illness in this country.

Who needs CMV negative blood?

However, CMV can cause serious problems for people who have weakened immune systems, affecting the eyes, lungs, nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. For that reason, people who are immunocompromised , such as people with HIV or AIDS, should be given CMV negative blood when needed.

Is FFP and platelets the same?

In fact, a unit of cryo contains only 40-50% of the coag factors found in a unit of FFP, but those factors are more concentrated in the cryo (less volume). A single platelet unit is derived from one whole blood unit collected. Platelets are stored at room temperature and CANNOT be frozen. They must be used in 5 days.

Do CLL patients need irradiated blood?

If you've been treated with fludarabine or bendamustine and you then need a blood transfusion, you'll need to receive blood that has been treated with radiation (irradiated blood) . This kills any white cells in the blood going into you and protects you against a very rare type of transfusion reaction.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.