[The ABCs of transfusion for hematologists]

"Guidelines for the use of red blood cell products, platelet transfusion concentrates and fresh frozen plasma based on scientific evidence" was published by the Japan Society of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy. Each transfused blood product carries a certain risk of an acute or late adverse event. Hematologists must be familiar with transfusion-associated adverse events, such as transfusion-related acute lung injury, transfusion-associated circulatory overload, post-transfusion graft-versus-host disease, transfusion-transmitted viral infection, etc. Thus, these guidelines should be followed for the appropriate use of blood products according to trigger values and indications for transfusion.