Blood Transfusion Increases Risk of Mortality among TBI Victims

According to the recent research conducted by the National Anemia Action Council (NAAC), the common practice of blood transfusion among traumatic brain injury patients may increase mortality risk as well as “composite complication including multi-organ failure.”

The seven year long, study found that of the 1,150 traumatic brain injury patients, 46 percent were anemic during the first week of hospitalization following brain injury.

The anemic group faced more complications as compared to non-anemic group. Of the anemic group, 76 percent received blood transfusions in the first week and the blood transfusion in this group of patients had higher mortality rate and more complications than the patients who did not undergo blood transfusion.

According to the results of the study published in the Jan issue of Pub Med, scientists recommended “both anemia and transfusion should be assessed together in TBI patients since in some subgroups the risk of anemia may overshadow that of transfusion.”

Blood transfusion is considered as a life saving and save procedure. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, “blood is given to you through an intravenous (IV) line in one of your blood vessels and blood transfusions are conducted to replace blood lost during surgery or a serious injury.”

According to the American Cancer Society, although there are no alternatives to blood but there are various substitutes for blood transfusions such as the following medications:

• volume expanders
• blood substitutes
• erythropoietin
• Growth factors, like the production of substances called blood forming growth factors or hematopoietic. These substances produces extra blood within the body
• Collect and reuse blood, commonly known as post- operative and intra – operative

Overcoming TBI

Individuals suffering from traumatic brain injury should locate an experienced TBI lawyer who can provide details about a TBI lawsuit.

Due to the experimental and expensive treatments related with a traumatic brain injury, it is necessary for a victim to develop a traumatic brain injury lawsuit who can assist you in receiving some monetary compensation for medical bills.