[Prevention of risks related to blood transfusions]

During the past decade, the major fears of transfusion medicine were blood-transmitted viral diseases (hepatitis, AIDS). By applying strict rules at each step of blood donation, it can now be considered that this risk is reduced to a minimal level. Furthermore, new technologies (leukocyte removal filters, cytapheresis devices) and strict immuno-hematological procedures (detection of preformed antibodies, use of blood with well-defined phenotype) will reduce morbidity due to immunological incompatibility. These techniques should provide a safe transfusion service in the near future.