Blood transfusion requirements for patients undergoing chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia how much is enough?

• Published in: Haematologica (Roma) 2007-07, Vol.92 (7), p.996-997
• Main Authors: Dawson, Mark A, Avery, Sharon, McQuilten, Zoe K, Bailey, Michael J, Shortt, Jake, Polizzotto, Mark N, Wood, Erica M, Cole-Sinclair, Merrole F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Blood Donors - supply & distribution; Blood Transfusion - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid - therapy; Middle Aged
• ISSN: 0390-6078; 1592-8721
• DOI: 10.3324/haematol.11019

* Clinical Haematology/Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and Haematology Unit, Alfred Pathology Service, The Alfred Melbourne ° Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, The Alfred, Melbourne; # Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Correspondence: Mark A. Dawson, The Alfred, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3004. Phone: international +61.392762000. Fax: international +61.392763021. E-mail: dawsonm{at}ausdoctors.net Although essential in the management of AML, there is little information quantitating transfusion requirements for these patients. We evaluated 111 consecutive adults treated for AML, showing that approximately 150 blood donors are required to adequately cater for a single patient’s complete therapy with little variation for age, prognostic group or intensity of treatment. Key words: blood transfusion, chemotherapy, acute myeloid leukemia.