Blood transfusions can increase the risk of infection in orthopedic patients

Despite an unknown etiology, transfusion with allogenic blood products predisposes patients to an increased risk of infection.

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Despite a lack of clarity on its etiology, transfusion with allogenic blood products does predispose patients to an increased risk of infection. With improved handling and screening of blood products, infection now becomes the leading associated risk of transfusing allogenic products. Auto-transfusion, whether through autogenous pre-donation or operative cell salvage, offers a realistic alternative. The practice of hemoglobin trigger levels has reduced the need for transfusion and made liberal transfusion a thing of the past. Alternatives to transfusion such as intravenous iron and erythropoietin analogs are also being investigated, but have yet to gain widespread approval.
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