The Red Cell Storage Lesion - Rethinking Transfusions

Explore the paradigm shift in transfusion medicine with Dr. Allan Doctor's lecture on "The Red Cell Storage Lesion: Rethinking Transfusions." Delve into the mounting evidence questioning current transfusion practices and learn why maintaining a pre-specified circulating red cell mass without considering other clinical factors may be harmful. Gain insights into red cells as a living tissue functioning as its own organ, understanding their production, lifespan, and evolutionary significance. Examine the differences between donor and native red cells, evidence of potential harm from transfusions, and how red cells impact tissue ischemia and vascular control. Discover a new framework for decision-making in transfusion medicine and strategies for changing ingrained practices to improve patient outcomes in critical care settings.

Introduction
Rethinking Red Cells
Donor vs Native Red Cells
Evidence for Harm
Tissue Ischemia
Red cells are vascular control elements
Red cells disrupt normal blood flow
Changing ingrained practices
Framework for decision making