Transfusion practices for pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients: Data from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study-III (REDS-III)

Transfusion Support in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Contemporary Narrative Review

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a cornerstone of modern medical practice, and can only be performed safely and effectively with appropriate transfusion medicine support. Patients undergoing HSCT often develop therapy-related cytopenia, necessitating differing blood product requirements in the pre-, peri-, and post-transplant periods. Moreover, ensuring optimal management for patients alloimmunized to human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and/or red blood cell (RBC) antigens, as well as for patients receiving ABO-incompatible transplants, requires close collaboration with transfusion medicine and blood bank professionals. Finally, as updated transfusion guidelines and novel blood product modifications emerge, the options available to the transplant practitioner continue to expand. Herein, we detail contemporary blood transfusion and transfusion medicine practices for patients undergoing HSCT.

In hospitalized patients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange, major bleeding prevalence depends on the bleeding definition: An analysis of The Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study-III

BACKGROUND

Major bleeding in patients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been studied in large databases; but without standardizing bleeding definitions. Therefore, we used standardized definitions to evaluate major bleeding in hospitalized patients undergoing TPE using public use data files from the Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study-III (REDS-III).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In a retrospective cross-sectional analysis, we identified TPE-treated adults in a first inpatient encounter. We evaluated major bleeding prevalence using (1) International Classification of Diseases (ICD) or Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, (2) packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion, or (3) hemoglobin (Hgb) decline. Patients with major bleeding prior to their first TPE were excluded from the analysis.

RESULTS

Among 779 patients undergoing TPE, major bleeding by at least one of the three bleeding definitions occurred in 135 patients (17.3%). For each of the ICD/CPT, PRBC, and Hgb definitions, the prevalence of major bleeding was 2.8% (n = 31), 7.4% (n = 81), and 5.4% (n = 59), respectively. Only 3.7% of bleeds (5/135) were captured by all three definitions and 19.3% (26/135) exclusively by any two pairwise definitions. The addition of PRBC transfusion and Hgb decline to ICD/CPT code definitions increased bleeding prevalence threefold.

CONCLUSION

Among hospitalized adults undergoing TPE in the REDS-III study, the prevalence of major bleeding was 17.3%. The addition of PRBC and Hgb decline to ICD codes increased bleeding prevalence threefold. Future studies are needed to develop validated models that identify patients at risk for major bleeding during TPE.

Patient Blood Management after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in a Pediatric Setting: Starting Low and Going Lower

Despite the substantial transfusion requirements, there are few studies on the optimal transfusion strategy in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Our study aimed to retrospectively analyze red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) transfusion practices during the first 100 days after HSCT at the pediatric hematology/oncology unit of our hospital between 2016 and 2019, due to a more restrictive approach adopted after 2016. We also evaluated the impact on patient outcomes. A total of 146 consecutive HSCT patients were analyzed. In patients without hemorrhagic complications, the Hb threshold for RBC transfusions decreased significantly from 2016 to 2017 (from 7.8 g/dL to 7.3 g/dL; p = 0.010), whereas it remained the same in 2017, 2018, and 2019 (7.3, 7.2, and 7.2 g/dL, respectively). Similarly, the PLT threshold decreased significantly from 2016 to 2017 (from 18,000 to 16,000/μL; p = 0.026) and further decreased in 2019 (15,000/μL). In patients without severe hemorrhagic complications, the number of RBC and PLT transfusions remained very low over time. No increase in 100-day and 180-day non-relapse mortality or adverse events was observed during the study period. No patient died due to hemorrhagic complications. Our preliminary observations support robust studies enrolling HSCT patients in patient blood management programs.

Transfusion Strategies in the 21st Century: A Case-Based Narrative Report

The transfusion of all blood components (red blood cells, plasma, and platelets) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in children. It is essential that pediatric providers weigh the risks and benefits before transfusing a critically ill child. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the safety of restrictive transfusion practices in critically ill children.

Human papillomavirus vaccination uptake among childhood cancer survivors in Western New York

INTRODUCTION

The risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers is significantly higher among survivors of a childhood cancer compared to the general population. Despite this, their HPV vaccine uptake rates are lower. We examined factors related to HPV vaccine uptake among childhood cancer survivors from Western New York over 13 years following the introduction of HPV vaccines.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with invasive or noninvasive cancerous conditions at age 9 or younger treated at Roswell Park Oishei Children's Cancer and Blood Disorder Program. We matched vaccine date information for patients aged 9-26 years between 2006 and 2020 from the New York State Immunization Information System. Demographic and cancer-related information was abstracted from electronic medical records. Cumulative vaccine uptake was assessed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 284 patients were included in the analyses. Most were non-Hispanic/White (80.3%) and resided in a metropolitan area (81.7%). Approximately half had leukemia or lymphoma (54.9%), and most received chemotherapy. Females were more likely to initiate the HPV vaccine and did so sooner (median = 5.5 years) than males (median = 5.7 years; log-rank p = .301). Patients who were older at vaccine eligibility and males who received blood product transfusions were significantly less likely to initiate the HPV vaccine.

CONCLUSION

While rates of HPV vaccine initiation have been increasing with time among childhood cancer survivors, they remain low overall, with differences seen by treatment and diagnosis. Our findings support the need for further research to optimize HPV vaccine delivery in cancer care.

Current advances in transfusion medicine 2021: A critical review of selected topics by the AABB Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee

BACKGROUND

Each year the AABB Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee (CTMC) procures a synopsis highlighting new, important, and clinically relevant studies in the field of transfusion medicine (TM). This has been made available as a publication in Transfusion since 2018.

METHODS

CTMC members reviewed and identified original manuscripts covering TM-related topics published electronically (ahead-of-print) or in print from December 2020 to December 2021. Selection of publications was discussed at committee meetings and chosen based on perceived relevance and originality. Next, committee members worked in pairs to create a synopsis of each topic, which was then reviewed by additional committee members. The first and senior authors assembled the final manuscript. Although this synopsis is extensive, it is not exhaustive, and some articles may have been excluded or missed.

RESULTS

The following topics are included: blood products; convalescent plasma; donor collections and testing; hemoglobinopathies; immunohematology and genomics; hemostasis; patient blood management; pediatrics; therapeutic apheresis; and cell therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

This synopsis highlights and summarizes recent key developments in TM and may be useful for educational purposes.

Pediatric platelet transfusions in critical illness: a narrative review of recent studies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We sought to describe the current use of platelet transfusions, harms associated with platelet transfusion, new methods of platelet processing that attempt to address these harms, and recent platelet transfusion guidance specific to critically ill children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Platelet transfusions have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. New processing techniques, such as pathogen reduction, have been developed to combat infectious risks but in a recent trial of platelet transfusion thresholds in neonates, transfusing platelets more liberally was associated with increased bleeding and mortality.

SUMMARY

Recent efforts to develop evidence-based guidelines for platelet transfusion in critically ill children were limited by the lack of evidence. However, given the significant risks, restrictive transfusion thresholds should be considered.

The Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study-IV-Pediatric (REDS-IV-P): A research program striving to improve blood donor safety and optimize transfusion outcomes across the lifespan

BACKGROUND

The Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study-IV-Pediatric (REDS-IV-P) is a new iteration of prior National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) REDS programs that focus on improving transfusion recipient outcomes across the lifespan as well as the safety and availability of the blood supply.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The US program includes blood centers and hospitals (22 including 6 free-standing Children's hospitals) in four geographic regions. The Brazilian program has 5 participating hemocenters. A Center for Transfusion Laboratory Studies (CTLS) and a Data Coordinating Center (DCC) support synergistic studies and activities over the 7-year REDS-IV-P program.

RESULTS

The US is building a centralized, vein-to-vein (V2V) database, linking information collected from blood donors, their donations, the resulting manufactured components, and data extracts from hospital electronic medical records of transfused and non-transfused patients. Simultaneously, the Brazilian program is building a donor, donation, and component database. The databases will serve as the backbone for retrospective and prospective observational studies in transfusion epidemiology, transfusion recipient outcomes, blood component quality, and emerging blood safety issues. Special focus will be on preterm infants, patients with sickle cell disease, thalassemia or cancer, and the effect of donor biologic variability and component manufacturing on recipient outcomes. A rapid response capability to emerging safety threats has resulted in timely studies related to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2).

CONCLUSIONS

The REDS-IV-P program endeavors to improve donor-recipient-linked research with a focus on children and special populations while also maintaining the flexibility to address emerging blood safety issues.