Pretransfusion compatibility testing for red blood cell administration

The purpose of pretransfusion compatibility testing is to prevent incompati ble red blood cell transfusions that could lead to immune mediated hemolyti c transfusion reactions. Some hemolytic transfusion reactions may have seri ous sequelae including hemoglobinemia, disseminated intravascular coagulati on, renal failure, and death. This article reviews the most comprehensive r ecent analyses of the laboratory methods used during pretransfusion compati bility testing in the United States. Most of the laboratory practice data h ave been published in the College of American Pathologists Transfusion Medi cine Survey Sets and in a national survey called the Pre-Transfusion Testin g Survey. This article couples and trends the data of these comprehensive s urveys with an assessment of the literature to present the current practice of pretransfusion compatibility testing. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wi lkins, Inc.