Blood Component Therapy
Blood component therapy involves the separation of whole blood into components for targeted transfusion to correct specific deficits.
Transfusion Reactions and Adverse Events
Transfusion reactions range from mild febrile responses to life-threatening hemolytic reactions requiring immediate recognition and intervention.
Fibrinogen and D-Dimer Testing
Fibrinogen and D-dimer are key coagulation parameters used to assess bleeding risk, diagnose DIC, and exclude venous thromboembolism.
Introduction to Hemostasis
Hemostasis is the physiological process that stops bleeding at sites of vascular injury while maintaining blood fluidity in the circulation.
Prothrombin Time, INR, and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time
PT/INR and aPTT are the most commonly ordered coagulation screening tests, evaluating the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways respectively.
The Coagulation Cascade
The coagulation cascade is a series of enzymatic reactions leading to fibrin clot formation, organized into intrinsic, extrinsic, and common pathways.
von Willebrand Factor and Platelet Function Tests
von Willebrand factor mediates platelet adhesion and carries factor VIII; its deficiency causes the most common inherited bleeding disorder.
ABO and Rh Blood Group Systems
The ABO and Rh blood group systems are the most clinically significant blood group antigens, determining transfusion compatibility and hemolytic disease risk.
Antibody Screening and Crossmatching
Antibody screening and crossmatching are pre-transfusion tests that detect clinically significant RBC antibodies and ensure donor-recipient compatibility.
