Research

Risk of Transfusion-Related West Nile Virus Transmission Highly Variable

A Gene That Regulates Iron Metabolism Is Beginning to Reveal Its Secrets

Noninfectious Transfusion Complications Often Not Recognized Promptly

Blood Transfusion During Radiation Therapy for Cervical Cancer Might Decrease Survival

Anemia Common and Persistent in Trauma Patients Admitted to ICU

Erythropoietin Is an Option for Anemic Patients With Hematologic Malignancies

Data on Long-term Survival After Transfusion Need to Be Updated

Transfusion-Free Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplant Successful in Jehovah’s Witness

Diaspirin-Crosslinked Hb Reduces Need for Transfusion in Surgical Patients

Severe Anemia Triples Risk of Maternal Mortality in Developing Countries

Ask the Expert

If a patient experiences gastrointestinal (GI) side effects with iron supplements (bloating, cramps, diarrhea, darkened and soft stools, constipation) and has problems maintaining minimal iron levels without these, are there any other medications available besides Feosol® and injections that may help (with minimal GI side effects)?

Can we use epoetin for treating severe pregnancy-induced anemia?

Anemia in the News

New York Times “Personal Health” columnist Jane E. Brody interviewed NAAC President Allen R. Nissenson, MD, for “‘Tired Blood’ Warning: Ignore It at Your Peril.”
Her article featured information from “Anemia: Not Just an Innocent Bystander?” authored by NAAC Vice President Lawrence T. Goodnough, MD, Allen R. Nissenson, MD, and Robert W. DuBois, MD, PhD, of Zynx Health (Arch Intern Med. 2003; 163: 1400-1404). Also included were the new findings on anemia and aging by Brenda WJH Pennix, MD, featured on anemia.org, Anemia Is an Independent Risk Factor for Physical Decline in the Elderly.

Prevention of Iron Deficiency Best Option for Managing Anemia in Infants and Children

A high intake of cow’s milk in the first year of life has been suggested as the major risk factor for subsequent development of iron deficiency and anemia in childhood, report nursing researchers at the University of California at San Francisco. To reduce risk, the researchers recommend eliminating cow’s milk during this time period. In addition, routine health assessments, including nutritional intake and risk assessment for iron deficiency, should be conducted throughout infancy, childhood, and adolescence, they say. (Pediatr Nurs. 2003;29:127-133.)

Anemia Worsens Surgical Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Regardless of whether it results from a preexisting condition or surgical blood loss, anemia worsens outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease who undergo cardiac surgery. In addition, anemia after noncardiac surgery is known to be associated with myocardial ischemia, and it may lead to a vicious cycle in which blood loss and myocardial ischemia exacerbate each other. Procedures that minimize blood loss during percutaneous coronary surgery may have major clinical implications. (Nappi J. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2003;60[14 suppl 3]:S4-S8.)

rHuEPO Increases Hct and Improves Quality of Life in CKD and Cancer Patients

A systematic review of medical literature from January 1980 through December 2001 has confirmed that in patients with anemia related to cancer or chronic kidney disease (CKD), recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) improves certain measures of health-related quality of life. The review included 16 studies each of cancer and CKD, collectively representing 11,710 rHuEPO-treated patients and 1,238 controls. In rHuEPO recipients, hematocrit (Hct) increased from baseline by an average of 8.3%, compared to an average increase of 1% in the control subjects. According to the results of a meta-analysis, improvement in Hct was significantly correlated (P < .001) with improvement in quality of life. (Ross SD, et al. Clin Ther. 2003;25:1786-1805.)