Business Wire - November 12, 2002
The September/October issue of American Journal of Therapeutics is a special thematic issue presenting expert commentaries on the most important areas affecting transfusion practice today.
In a guest editorial, Drs. Edward T. Crosby and Jonathan S. Jahr review the ongoing "revolution in transfusion medicine." Not many years ago, blood transfusions were given liberally, with little attention to the risk of spreading hepatitis B and other infectious diseases. Since the emergence of HIV, however, the use of blood transfusions has been sharply curtailed.
Transfusions are now withheld in situations where they once would have been routine.
At the same time, blood donor screening and other efforts have reduced the risk of spreading blood-borne infections through transfusion. As a result, the blood supply in North America is safer than ever before-- so safe that any future alternatives to transfusion will have to be virtually risk-free, according to Drs. Crosby and Jahr.
The September/October AJT includes invited contributions from leading authorities in key areas of transfusion medicine. One hot topic is the use of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO)-- a hormone that promotes formation of red blood cells-- to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood during surgery.
A review by Dr. Crosby confirms that EPO can reduce the need for blood transfusions in some patients, particularly those losing more than two liters of blood. However, for most patients, EPO offers little health benefit at a very high cost.
Another article reviews techniques used to reduce the need for blood transfusion, including drugs (eg, aprotinin and desmopressin) and predonation of the patient's own blood. Although these practices are generally safe and effective, they must be used with some care. Even with the patient's own blood, problems can result from human error.
Other topics covered in the Special Issue include:
-- The small but significant immune system suppression occurring after blood transfusion-some studies suggest that this "immunomodulation" may lead to a long-term increase in the risk of infections and certain cancers.
-- Special considerations for blood transfusion in children.
-- New advances in blood donor selection and screening.
-- Treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses, who refuse transfusion on religious grounds.
-- Initial findings with experimental "hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers" as alternatives to transfused blood.
As the revolution in transfusion medicine continues, so will efforts to improve the safety and optimal use of blood transfusion. The Editors of AJT hope that this series of articles in the September/October issue will advance these goals by providing up-to-date, clinically useful information in the fast-moving field of transfusion practice.
CONTACT: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Heather Rowe, 215/521-8468
hrowe@lww.com
SOURCE: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
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