[Blood component transfusion in Croatia]

Abstract

Blood component therapy has been wildly accepted all over the world due to the better effects achieved in treating the patients, its safety and economy. In SRH it is replacing whole blood transfusions rather slowly as can be seen through five years of production and utilisation of blood derivatives. In 1974-1978 period a number of donations in Croatia increased to 27 per 1.000 inhabitants, but it is still very far from optimal 40-60 donations per 1.000 inhabitants. In that period the production of albumin increased 5 times, of immunoglobulins 10 times and factor VIII 10 times. In 1978 per 1.000 inhabitants, 2,1 1 of plasma were fractionated, 53 gr of albumin and 23 ml of imunoglobulins were used plus additional 6.200 units per one haemophiliac. These quantities are not sufficient to cover the needs of the health service in SRH. To overcome the shortage it is necessary to increase the number of donations, to augmant the average amount of donation to 450 ml., to increase the number of plasmapheresis and to use blood component therapy on a larger scale. Only after obtaining 10-12 1 of plasma for fractionation per 1.000 inhabitants optimal quantities of derivatives can be secured.