Name of the Procedure:

Irradiation of Blood Product, Each Unit

Summary

Irradiation of blood products is a medical procedure that involves exposing a unit of blood to a specific dose of radiation. This process helps to inactivate any T-lymphocytes present in the blood, preventing potential complications like graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) when the blood is transfused to at-risk patients.

Purpose

This procedure is primarily used to prevent GVHD, a serious condition where the donor's immune cells attack the recipient's body. The goal is to ensure that transfused blood is safe and to reduce the risk of transfusion-associated complications.

Indications

Irradiation of blood products is indicated for:

• Patients with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy.
• Newborns, especially those weighing less than 1,200 grams.
• Individuals receiving a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
• Those with congenital immunodeficiency disorders.
• Blood transfusions from family members, due to the higher risk of GVHD.

Preparation

Typically, no special preparation is needed from the patient. The blood bank staff handles the irradiation process. The patient should follow their healthcare provider's instructions regarding their overall treatment plan.

Procedure Description

1. The blood product (e.g., red blood cells, platelets) is placed in a specialized irradiation device.
2. The device exposes the blood to a controlled dose of gamma rays or X-rays.
3. The process takes a few minutes, ensuring all units of blood are uniformly irradiated.
4. After irradiation, the blood is labeled accordingly and stored or transported for transfusion.

Duration

The irradiation process typically takes around 5-10 minutes per unit of blood.

Setting

This procedure is performed in a blood bank or transfusion service department within a hospital.

Personnel

The process involves:

• Blood bank technicians or technologists.
• Medical physicists to calibrate and maintain irradiation equipment.

Risks and Complications

While irradiation of blood is generally safe, potential risks and complications include:

• Minimal radiation exposure to staff, which is mitigated by safety protocols.
• Possible minor delays in blood processing.
• Slight reduction in the shelf-life of irradiated blood products.

Benefits

The primary benefit is the significant reduction in the risk of GVHD for at-risk patients. Benefits are typically immediate upon transfusion.

Recovery

There is no recovery process for the patient related to irradiation, as the blood is treated before transfusion. Post-transfusion care is similar to that for non-irradiated blood products.

Alternatives

• Leukoreduction, where white blood cells are filtered out but not as effective in preventing GVHD as irradiation.
• Use of immunosuppressant medications during transfusion, but this carries its own risks and side effects.

Patient Experience

Patients generally do not directly experience the irradiation process since it is performed on the blood product prior to transfusion. Pain management and comfort measures pertain to the transfusion process itself, which typically involves minimal discomfort.