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Abstract:
The negative effects of blood transfusions, in the form of transfusion reactions, coagulation disorders, transfer of diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS, high costs etc, have prompted stricter indications for transfusion. In recent years, apart from these well known risks, the immuno-suppressive effect of blood transfusions has been observed and thereby the possible adverse influence on the prognosis in cases of malignant disease. The eventual connections between blood transfusions and the risk of both delayed healing and infection after routine surgery were reported in a study from Linköping. This review illustrates some of these rarely noticed potential risks of blood transfusions.