Blood Bank: TA-GVHD and Irradiated Blood Products

Immunocompromised

GVHD is a medical condition that results when a (——-) patient receives an allogenic organ transplant and a blood transfusion where live donor WBCs react to the pt’s organs

T cell

GVHD is primarily a (—cell—) mediated disease

Irradiation of blood products

The best overall solution to address GVHD is prevention; regarding blood transfusions, the most common preventative measure is…

• Rash and fever

• Liver dysfunction/jaundice

• Pancytopenia

• Diarrhea

Signs and symptoms of GVHD (4)

2-6 weeks

GVHD typically manifests (——) post transfusion

Proliferation

To prevent TA-GVHD, WBC containing products are irradiated to render T lymphocytes ineffective against (——-) in a foreign environment (the recipient)

Ionized

The type of irradiation used for blood products is (——) radiation

• Cesium 137

• Cobalt 60 radioisotope

Common radioactive sources for blood irradiation (2)

• 25 Gy (2500 cGy/rad)

• 15 Gy

The minimum dose of radiation for blood products is (——) to the center of the blood container and (——) to any part of the blood container

Radiographic film indicator (Radsure)

What is used for confirmation of irradiated products?

• RBCs

• PLTs

(products that have white blood cells)

Products that are usually irradiated (2)

• Free hemoglobin and potassium

• 28 days (or keep exp date if sooner than 28 days)

During irradiation, damage to the red cell membrane causes increased amounts of extracellular (—2—). Because of this leaching, the expiration date is changed to (——)

X-ray

New blood irradiators are being implemented because radioactive sources are capable of being made into “dirty bombs” if obtained by terrorists. New blood irradiators use (——) technology