Outcomes of the transfusion of "Least Incompatible" blood
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study examining the outcomes of blood transfusions where "least incompatible blood" has been issued due to the rarity of available red cell units.
IRAS ID
321111
Contact name
Tom Bullock
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHSBT - Research Governance office
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Some patients have antibodies in their blood which makes finding perfectly matched, or compatible red blood cells for transfusion hard to find. These antibodies are often to red cell antigens that are found in the majority of the donor population, and therefore there is not compatible blood available. In these rare instances, the UK blood services select "least incompatible" (weakly reactive Vs the patient) blood for transfusion. As these instances are rare, very little is known about the outcomes of these transfusions, and whether the patient benefitted from the transfusion, if given. The study aims to follow up the transfusion outcomes of approximately 120 patients who have received "least incompatible" blood in England. The study will seek and examine hospital laboratory parameters to assess whether the transfusions, if given, led to an expected rise in haemoglobin (the oxygen carrying bit of the blood) and no reported reactions or rise in laboratory markers of haemolysis (destruction of red cells by antibodies). The study will last approximately 6 months and involves the follow up of the outcomes of transfusions at the relevant hospitals throughout England where some of the patients were transfused through interrogation of the laboratory IT systems (LIMS). The information will help inform transfusion decision making when treating other patients with these rare antibodies in future, as it will provide additional information as to the clinical significance of the rare antibodies in question, and will inform future blood selection policies, which should improve patient care.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0379
Date of REC Opinion
2 May 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion