Because of religious practices or personal preferences, many patients seek an alternative to a blood transfusion when a transfusion becomes a medical necessity. Much of the research into blood alternatives stemmed from the religious beliefs of the Jehovah Witnesses and other patients’ aversion to transfusions. No longer is a patient’s or family’s desire to explore other methods to replace body fluid an unfamiliar and often-litigated practice.
Volume Expanders
Volume expanders add enough fluid volume in the bloodstream to treat or reduce the risk of shock. Normal saline is the primary alternative solution to a blood transfusion, according to The American Cancer Society. Other possible volume expanders include protein products and sugars.
Growth Factors
Growth factors help the body raise blood cell counts over time. These factors cause the bone marrow to boost production of blood cells. However, growth factors take time to kick in. Weeks may pass before blood counts are returned to normal.
Blood Salvaging
Surgery may involve a loss of blood. Technology has evolved to the point where lost blood can be captured and returned to the patient via a collection machine in the operating room. This alternative to a blood transfusion eliminates the need and risk of giving a patient blood collected through blood donation of an unknown person.
Blood Substitutes
Although still in the research and development stage, blood substitutes use iron-rich, high-oxygen products to mimic red blood cells, Penn Medicine says. Still in the testing phase, these products could be used when a blood match cannot be found, or in patients whose immune system is at risk for compromise with a traditional blood transfusion.
Preoperative Blood Donation
Patients can donate their own blood before surgery that will be given back to them if the blood is needed, according to Penn Medicine. This method is not without risk due to the paperwork involved, and mix-ups in the lab have caused a patient to receive another patient’s blood.
Hemodilution
Hemodilution works a bit like a combination of volume expanders and blood salvaging. Before surgery, some of the patient’s blood is drawn into a closed system collection chamber, and water and minerals are given to the patient. When blood is lost during surgery, the patient’s captured blood is returned to the patient through an IV. This method is considered one of the more effective and safe alternatives to a traditional blood transfusion.
