Abstract
Background: Blood transfusion intervention is one of the crucial steps when dealing with any shocked patient. Apart from the decision of whether to administrate blood or not, other important decisions are to decide what type of transfusion to administrate, how much to transfuse, and when exactly to administrate blood transfusion. There are many limitations of the use of whole blood transfusion. One major concern when administrating blood is the risk of transmitting infections. Other concerns regarding blood transfusion include the continuous availability of blood when needed, the costs for preparing blood, and shelf life of blood, and in some areas, the presence of religious considerations that forbid blood transfusion.
Methodology: We conducted this review using a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE, January 1985, through February 2017. The following search terms were used: blood transfusion, hemorrhagic shock, blood products transfusion, complications of blood transfusion, trauma induced coagulopathy
Aim: In this review, we aim to study the requirement of emergency blood transfusion, the types of transfusions, and the complications associated with them.
Conclusion: Blood transfusion is an essential medical intervention that may be needed in the emergency department. Transfusion can include either whole blood, or its products, depending on the need. More complications are associated with whole blood transfusion, such as infections, coagulopathy, hypothermia, and citrate toxicity.