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Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)2022; 32(S1); 108-122; doi: 10.1111/vec.13119

Collection and administration of blood products in horses: Transfusion indications, materials, methods, complications, donor selection, and blood testing.

Abstract: Blood transfusion is a lifesaving treatment for horses with acute hemorrhage and other causes of anemia. Transfusions improve oxygen delivery to the tissues via increased blood volume and hemoglobin concentration. Certain aspects of equine blood transfusion are challenging, especially in the field situation, and practitioners may be unfamiliar or feel overwhelmed with the process. An understanding of the indications, materials, methods, and techniques as well as donor selection and possible complications will help practitioners successfully implement blood transfusion in clinical practice. Methods: Blood transfusion involves several steps including appropriate donor selection, cross-matching, blood collection, and administration, as well as monitoring and handling of transfusion reactions. Guidance for each of these steps are detailed in this review. Conclusions: Blood transfusion is an effective and often lifesaving treatment for managing diseases of blood loss, hemolysis, and decreased RBC production. Equine practitioners require a thorough understanding of the indications for blood transfusion, the immunological principles behind compatibility testing and transfusion reactions, and the technical skills to aseptically collect and administer blood products KEY POINTS: Equine practitioners require a thorough understanding of the indications for blood transfusion, the immunological principles behind compatibility testing and transfusion reactions, and the technical skills to aseptically collect and administer blood products. Because there are over 400,000 possible equine RBC phenotypes, no universal donor exists, and some blood type incompatibilities are likely between any donor and recipient. Therefore, prior to any blood transfusion, donor and recipient blood should be cross-matched Inadequate delivery of oxygen (Do2 ) to the tissues, resulting from low hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, is the most important indication for blood transfusion Neonatal isoerythrolysis most commonly occurs following an anamnestic response in late gestation; it rarely occurs following a primary exposure because the immune response is not strong enough to produce clinically significant alloantibody titers.
© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2022.
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Publication Date: 2022-01-20 PubMed ID: 35044065DOI: 10.1111/vec.13119Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper provides a thorough guide to the process of blood transfusion in horses, covering the indications for this treatment, the technical skills required, and the possible complications. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding immune response and compatibility testing due to the high number of potential equine Red Blood Cell (RBC) phenotypes.

Understanding Blood Transfusion in Horses

  • This research provides crucial insights on blood transfusion as a lifesaving treatment for horses suffering from acute blood loss, hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), and decreased Red Blood Cell (RBC) production.
  • It underscores the importance of delivering oxygen to tissues, primarily achieved by this treatment. Lack of oxygen resulting from low hemoglobin concentration is the most significant indicator for blood transfusion in horses.

Compatibility Testing and Transfusion Reactions in Equines

  • The paper highlights the complexity of equine blood, with over 400,000 possible RBC phenotypes. No universal donor exists among horses, leading to potential blood type incompatibilities between any donor and recipient.
  • Because of this variability, potentional donors and recipients must be carefully cross-matched for compatibility prior to any transfusion.
  • This research aims to alleviate veterinary practitioners’ unfamiliarity or overwhelming feeling towards equine blood transfusion. It offers principles behind compatibility testing and how to handle transfusion reactions.

Indications and Complications in Blood Transfusion

  • Information on the materials and methodologies required for a successful equine blood transfusion is presented, along with the challenges practitioners may encounter, especially in field situations.
  • The researchers also explore the selection process for appropriate donors and provide guidance on handling potential complications.

Neonatal Isoerythrolysis in Horses

  • Neonatal isoerythrolysis, a condition most commonly occurring after a strong immune response (an anamnestic response) in late gestation, is discussed. Rarely, it occurs after a primary exposure due to insufficient immune response to produce significant alloantibody titers.

Cite This Article

APA
Radcliffe RM, Bookbinder LC, Liu SY, Tomlinson JE, Cook VL, Hurcombe SDA, Divers TJ. (2022). Collection and administration of blood products in horses: Transfusion indications, materials, methods, complications, donor selection, and blood testing. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio), 32(S1), 108-122. https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.13119

Publication

Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)
ISSN: 1476-4431
NlmUniqueID: 101152804
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 32
Issue: S1
Pages: 108-122

Researcher Affiliations

Radcliffe, Rolfe M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Bookbinder, Lauren C
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Liu, Sharon Y
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Tomlinson, Joy E
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
Cook, Vanessa L
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Hurcombe, Samuel D A
  • Emergency Surgery and Medicine, Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists, Elmont, New York, USA.
Divers, Thomas J
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Group Incompatibility
  • Blood Grouping and Crossmatching / veterinary
  • Blood Transfusion / veterinary
  • Donor Selection
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Pregnancy
  • Transfusion Reaction / veterinary

References

This article includes 30 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Miglio A, Rocconi F, Cremonini V, D'Alessandro A, Reisz JA, Maslanka M, Lacroix IS, Tiscar G, Di Tommaso M, Antognoni MT. Effect of leukoreduction on the metabolism of equine packed red blood cells during refrigerated storage. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Mar-Apr;38(2):1185-1195.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.17015pubmed: 38406982google scholar: lookup
  2. Jamieson CA, Baillie SL, Johnson JP. Blood Transfusion in Equids-A Practical Approach and Review. Animals (Basel) 2022 Aug 23;12(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12172162pubmed: 36077883google scholar: lookup
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