Interní Med. 2013; 15(2): 80-83

Changes in patients’ internal enviroment related to administration of blood products

MUDr.Radovan Uvízl, Ph.D.¹, doc.MUDr.Tomáš Gabrhelík, Ph.D.¹, Mgr.Kateřina Langová, Ph.D.², MUDr.Bronislav Klementa¹, MUDr.Petr Šafránek¹, doc.MUDr.Milan Adamus, Ph.D¹

¹ Klinika anesteziologie, resuscitace a intenzivní medicíny, FN a LF UP v Olomouci

² Ústav lékařské biofyziky, LF UP v Olomouci

During their storage, red blood cells (RBCs) undergo changes resulting from their metabolism and breakdown. Thus, initial concentrations

of certain biochemical parameters, in particular potassium, lactate and pH, are changed. In patients with life-threatening bleeding,

administration of RBCs, especially in case of multiple transfusions, may lead to undesirable changes in their internal environment. With

concurrent failure of multiple organ systems, these changes are mainly accentuated by the effects of renal, circulatory and respiratory

insufficiency. The study documents changes in the internal environment in recipients of multiple RBC transfusions. Data were processed

from a retrospectively compiled group of patients in whom plasma levels of biochemical parameters (K+, lactate, pH, Na+, Ca++, glucose)

were measured at the beginning and at the end of the interval of multiple transfusion administration. The set of obtained laboratory data

was divided into a subgroup of patients with furosemide diuretic support and a subgroup without furosemide administration. In both

subgroups, changes in individual biochemical parameters were described after transfusion of RBCs (resuspended, buffy coat removed).

With respect to the number of RBC transfusion units, the development of hyperkalemia was assessed in vivo in the patients, depending

on renal failure or furosemide administration.

Keywords: erythrocyte, transfusion, hyperkalemia, lactate

Published: March 8, 2013  Show citation