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Review
. 2014 Sep;58(5):643-6.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.144676.

Blood transfusion practices in sepsis

Tvsp Murthy  1
Affiliations
Review

Blood transfusion practices in sepsis

Tvsp Murthy. Indian J Anaesth. 2014 Sep.

Abstract

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterised by systemic inflammation due to infection. There is a spectrum with severity ranging from sepsis to severe sepsis and septic shock. Even with optimal treatment, mortality due to severe sepsis or septic shock is significant and poses a challenge to management. Antibiotics, source control, resuscitation with fluids, vasopressor and inotropic agents are the main-stay of treatment for septic shock. These may be supplemented with transfusion of red blood cells and or blood products, in the case of anaemia to sustain sufficient oxygen delivery([1]) or to manage associated haematological issues. Transfusion in sepsis has always been a debatable issue, especially in relation to choice of the fluid and the role of blood or blood product transfusion.

Keywords: Hypotension; intravenous fluids; red blood cell transfusion; sepsis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared

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