Transfusion of blood with low hemoglobin: consequences, procedure description and treatment characteristics

Noise in the ears, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath - all these are signs that may indicate the patient has anemia. If you suspect that you have low hemoglobin (anemia), the causes, symptoms and manifestations of the illness described in this article will help you understand how to overcome this ailment.

Common manifestations of the disease

It is worth noting that the decrease in hemoglobin in the blood of doctors is not classified as a separate pathology, but the condition has a number of typical symptoms by which it can be recognized.

Naturally, detailed data on the composition of the blood can be learned from the results of a general analysis. However, not all people go to the polyclinic regularly for medical examinations. To advise on a visit to a doctor should such symptoms:

• Regular headaches and migraines;
• A feeling of general weakness;
• Lack of sleep;
• Loss of strength or fatigue;
• Heart rhythm disturbances and shortness of breath;
• Weak concentration and memory;
• Low blood pressure;
• lack of appetite;
• Impaired menstrual cycle in women;
• Problems with potency in men;
• Fainting.

With careful consideration of their health, based on these symptoms, a person may suspect that he has low hemoglobin. Whether a blood transfusion is necessary in such a case or enough local treatment, the doctor will say only after a complete examination of the patient.

Alarming signs of lowering hemoglobin levels

If the patient for a long time does not seek medical help and lives with the symptoms described above, oxygen starvation progresses in his body, the function of carbon dioxide exchange is disrupted and an incorrect acid-base balance is created.

However, this is not the worst - there are signs that testify to the seriousness of the process and pose a real threat to life and health. Among them, doctors distinguish the following:

1. Disturbance of respiratory function.
2. Constant diarrhea and vomiting.
3. The skin loses pink shade, becomes pale and rough.
4. Hair ceases to grow, become dry and brittle.
5. On the nails appear spots and signs of a fungal infection.
6. There are cracks and ulcers in the corners of the mouth.
7. Against the background of absent or unnecessarily low immunity, the patient regularly suffers from colds.
8. In the evening, he has cramps in the muscles of his legs.
9. Changing taste preferences (you want something unusual: chalk, lime, clay or earth), smell also suffers, and the person smells like acetone and gasoline.

Suspected of low hemoglobin? Symptoms, causes, effects may vary slightly in each clinical case. Therefore, considering this fact, it is recommended to consult a doctor without delay if at least one or more symptoms appear. The specialist will appoint a full examination and the necessary tests.

Not everyone can understand why such a state develops, which means that it is necessary to consider the causes in detail.

Insufficient amount of iron

Everyone knows by hearsay that in order to replenish hemoglobin in the blood, it is necessary to provide the body with enough iron. An important trace element gets into the blood through the food that people use. With an improper diet, when there are no iron-containing foods, the minimum daily allowance (10-20 mg) is not recruited. In such situations, a rapid decrease in hemoglobin is observed.

The diagnosis of doctors in these cases is: "iron deficiency anemia, or anemia." This is a fairly serious disease, and its progression makes it necessary to prescribe a blood transfusion at a low hemoglobin. The consequences of the procedure will be discussed a little later.

Non-digestion of iron by the body

Unfortunately, even if a person receives the minimum daily dose of a microelement, this is not enough. It is necessary to make sure that iron is absorbed in the body. It is a complex internal chemical process in which many reagents are involved. Therefore, together with products containing iron, it is necessary that the body get vitamin B (1, 6, 9, 12), PP and C. They act as catalysts. Also, for the assimilation you need a complete folic acid.

If we consider other causes of the drop in hemoglobin, then they include gastrointestinal diseases and inadequate production of enzymes, which is mostly observed in patients of the older age group.

The development of hemoglobin is also impeded by the active vital activity of parasitic bacteria. The most dangerous is the tapeworm, which absorbs all the folic acid that enters the body. The indicators on average fall by almost 30%. But here the question arises: if you do a blood transfusion with a low hemoglobin, the effectiveness of the procedure will be reduced or not? Doctors give a positive answer, but it is paramount to struggle with parasites.

Loss of hemoglobin

In some patients, a regular decrease in the level of hemoglobin during normal production is observed. The cause is hidden bleeding. They occur with injuries, injuries and after various operations, as well as with the systematic donation of blood.

Indications for blood transfusion

Many who are confronted with the described problem, worried: a blood transfusion with a low hemoglobin - is it dangerous? For a start, we'll figure it out when the doctors unreservedly prescribe the procedure.

It should be noted right away that this procedure is an extreme case and is prescribed only when other therapeutic methods are powerless. Indications for it are as follows:

• Diagnosed heart defects;
• Acute stage blood loss;
• Cerebral atherosclerosis;
• Cardiac or pulmonary insufficiency;
• The need for urgent surgical intervention.

For the procedure, whole blood or erythrocyte mass is used. When blood transfusion is prescribed at a low hemoglobin, what consequences will result from this depends on how the person perceives the donor composition.

Often the procedure is also carried out for people with persistent anemia. This is due to the fact that even at rest they are tormented by tachycardia and shortness of breath, and the level of hemoglobin does not exceed the figure of 60 grams per liter.

Technique for performing blood transfusion

When blood transfusion is performed with low hemoglobin, the consequences largely depend on the professionalism of the procedure. Doctors adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

1. Examination of the patient and collection of anamnesis (tests, determination of contraindications, clarification of previous procedures of this type, whether there were pregnancies).
2. Double definition of blood type and Rh factor (laboratory and at the place of procedure), while the results should be identical.
3. Choosing the ideal donor blood. The process involves: hermetic packing of the contents, the presence of the donor's name, blood collection number and lot, the Rh factor of the donor, where the liquid was taken and with which preservative, the signature of the responsible doctor and the expiration date. If something does not exist or there are inconsistencies, the transfusion is not performed.
4. Re-check the group of selected blood.
5. Checking the individual compatibility of patient and donor blood.
6. Check for compatibility of the Rh factor of the patient and the donor.
7. Biological sample (triple injection of selected blood to a patient of 25 milliliters each). In the absence of side effects, the process continues.
8. Drip introduction of blood. The average speed is 40-60 drops per minute. Only the erythrocyte mass is administered under the constant supervision of the doctor, the pressure, respiration and pulse of the patient are monitored, the skin is examined.
9. Finally, 15 milliliters of donor blood are left mixed with the serum of the patient. Store a mass of 48 hours (necessary to perform the analysis in case of complications).
10. The patient should stay in the clinic for another 2 hours after transfusion and 24 hours under the supervision of a specialist. After 24 hours, blood and urine are given for analysis.

If the technology is not violated, the consequences of blood transfusion with low hemoglobin will not be associated with complications.

Consequences of transfusion

As practice shows, if blood transfusion was performed with low hemoglobin, the consequences in the form of complications develop mainly in female patients. In some cases, complications can arise if extensive transfusion of blood or an artificial substitute has been performed.

In a small number of patients, complications occur in a latent form, which is the result of the introduction of incompatible blood.

What else is dangerous procedure

Transfusion of blood with low hemoglobin effects only if the patient has been injected with an unsuitable erythrocyte mass. However, they will be visible already at the second introduction from biological blood, after which the process must be stopped immediately.

The consequences of blood transfusion with low hemoglobin are manifested in a restless state of the patient, impaired breathing, dyspnea, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, or urge to it. All this is an experienced doctor will immediately notice and take measures to stop the process. Therefore, we can say that the professional introduction of the mass is safe for the patient's life.