Is a microfilter necessary in a single unit blood transfusion
Johnson, H.D.; Gibbs, J.M.
New Zealand Medical Journal 92(670): 305-308
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-8446 PMID: 6934428 Document Number: 166006
Pulmonary dysfunction may be caused by microaggregates passing through a standard blood filter (170 mu) during transsfusion. In this study a sheep was repeatedly tranfused with a single unit (about 450 ml) of her own blood to compare the effects of 27 mu and 170 mu pore filters on lung function. Lung function was assessed by comparing cardiac output, pulmonary shunt and alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient before, during and after transfusion. There were no significant changes in these parameters. So far as these results can be extrapolated from sheep to man, it is considered that the more expensive 27 mu pore filter is not justified in small volume transfusions.