How is it performed? of Blood transfusion

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Blood transfusions are most commonly received using a small plastic tube called a cannula, which is inserted into a vein in your arm. This is connected to a drip, and the blood runs through the drip into your arm.

Some people receive the transfusion through a larger tube inserted into a vein in the chest (a central line). This is useful for people who people who may need several blood transfusions because it allows easy access to the veins. Regularly inserting needles into smaller veins in the arm can cause the vein to become irritated and occasionally lead to blood clots. Other people receive blood transfusions through the crook in their arm (a PICC line). PICCs allow greater freedom to move the arm around because they are flexible and there is less chance of dislodging them.

Blood for transfusions is stored in small plastic bags. Each bag or unit holds about half a litre (one pint) of blood, and each unit is usually given over a period of one to two hours.

Medical staff will monitor your blood pressure, body temperature and pulse throughout the transfusion, and ask you how you feel (if you are not under general anaesthetic). It is common to experience a slight increase in temperature and mild headache.

It is possible for adults to use their own blood for a transfusion. This is called autologous transfusion. It is widely used in orthopaedic surgery, such as knee and hip replacements. Your blood is collected during the operation and then given back immediately.

Autologous transfusion may also be used in cases of elective surgery, if you are well enough to donate blood in the weeks before surgery. Some people want to use their own blood because they are worried about infection from donor blood. However, the risk of this is extremely low, and collecting blood in advance can be uneconomical. This is because it is expensive to store the blood, and if surgery is cancelled, or if the person becomes anaemic and cannot have the operation, the blood has to be destroyed.

Autologous transfusion may be necessary in cases where there is a shortage of compatible donor blood.