MATRA-A: A study on massive transfusion.

BACKGROUND: We use massive transfusion in various clinical conditions and it is associated with high mortality. Although some massive transfusion protocols improve patient outcomes, the clinical circumstances requiring it are not well defined. METHODS: MATRA-A is a multicenter retrospective study. Six University and Training Research Hospitals in Ankara participated in the study. We collected clinical data on patients (>18 years) who received massive transfusions (≥10 units/24 h) from 2017 through 2019. RESULTS: Overall, 167 (0·27% of transfused patients) received a massive transfusion of 2586 units of red blood cells (1·5% of total RBCs transfused). The median interquartile range values for RBCs, fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets were 13 (11-176), 16 (9-33) and 4 (0-11), respectively. Surgical patients received 90% of massive transfusions. The most common clinical indications for massive transfusion were cardiovascular diseases (42·6%), trauma (20·3%) and malignancies (11%). FFP: RBC: Platelets ratio was 1·9:1:0·5. The overall and trauma-related mortality rates were 57·4% and 61·8%, respectively. The hospital mortality rates of trauma patients that received high vs. low ratio (FFP: RBCs > 1:1·5 vs. ≤1:1·5) transfusions were 47·6% and 86·6% and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0·03). CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular diseases and trauma occasion are the most common causes of massive transfusion. It is infrequent in clinical settings and is associated with high mortality rates. Additionally, in massively transfused trauma patients, a high FFP:RBCs ratio seems to be associated with increased survival. Focused prospective studies are required to define the areas that need improvement on a national scale.

Parvovirus B19 seroprevalence in Turkish blood donors

Background/aim: Parvovirus risk in blood transfusion has become a popular research topic since there are limited data on parvovirus seroprevalence in blood donors in Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate parvovirus seroprevalence in blood donors in Turkey. Materials and methods: Blood samples of 988 blood donors admitted to a university blood bank were obtained for parvovirus B19 IgM and IgG detection. The samples were analyzed using the ELISA method. Results: IgM positivity of 3.92% and IgG positivity of 58.9% was detected in the blood samples. Parvovirus IgM positivity was found to be the highest in the age group of 41-50 years (P = 0.045) and IgG positivity was detected to be the highest in the age group of 31-40 years (P < 0.001). Parvovirus IgG positivity was significantly higher in women (P = 0.041). However, there was no difference regarding parvovirus IgM positivity in terms of sex (P = 0.245). Conclusion: Although this study does not represent the whole country, it is still the largest investigation carried out on the topic in Turkey and the obtained results are generally similar to those of European countries. Therefore, it is thought that the results obtained from this study may be supportive for the first steps regarding plasma fractionation, which will soon begin in Turkey.