ABO-incompatible blood transfusion and invasive therapeutic approaches during pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass

Anesth Analg. 2008 Oct;107(4):1185-7. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e31817f733e.

Abstract

Human error has been identified as a major source of ABO-incompatible blood transfusion which most often results from blood being given to the wrong patient. We present a case of inadvertent administration of ABO-incompatible blood to a 6-mo-old child who underwent congenital heart surgery and discuss the use of invasive therapeutic approaches. Invasive techniques included total circulatory arrest and large-volume exchange transfusion, along with conventional ultrafiltration and plasmapheresis, which could all be performed rapidly and effectively. The combination of standard pharmacologic therapies and alternative invasive techniques after a massive ABO-incompatible blood transfusion led to a favorable outcome in our patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System*
  • Blood Group Incompatibility / therapy*
  • Cardiopulmonary Bypass*
  • Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Hemofiltration
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Medical Errors*
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Transfusion Reaction*

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System