Overview A blood transfusion is a routine medical procedure in which donated blood is provided to you through a narrow tube placed within a vein in your arm. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references What is a blood transfusion? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Accessed Feb. The process. American Red Cross. Getting a blood transfusion. American Cancer Society. Blood safety basics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For people in critical condition, blood transfusions can be lifesaving. Four types of blood products may be given through blood transfusions: whole blood, red blood cells , platelets , and plasma. Most of the blood used for transfusions comes from whole blood donations given by volunteer blood donors. A person can also have his or her own blood collected and stored a few weeks before surgery in case it is needed.
After a doctor determines that you need a blood transfusion, he or she will test your blood to make sure that the blood you are given matches your blood type. A small needle is used to insert an IV line in one of your blood vessels. Through this line, you receive healthy blood. Blood transfusions usually take 1 to 4 hours to complete. You will be monitored during and after the procedure. Blood transfusions are usually very safe, because donated blood is carefully tested, handled, and stored. However, there is a small chance that your body may have a mild to severe reaction to the donor blood.
Some people have health problems from getting too much iron from frequent transfusions. There is also a very small chance of getting an infectious disease such as hepatitis B or C or HIV through a blood transfusion. For HIV, that risk is less than one in 1 million. Scientific research and careful medical controls make the supply of donated blood very safe.
Blood transfusions are among the most common medical procedures in the nation. We are committed to advancing science and translating discoveries into clinical practice to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders including the improvement of blood transfusion. Learn about current and future NHLBI efforts to improve health through research and scientific discovery.
Learn about the following ways the NHLBI continues to translate current research into improved health for people who give the gift of life, and for people across the lifespan who need a blood transfusion. In support of our mission , we are committed to advancing blood transfusion research in part through the following ways. We lead or sponsor many studies on blood transfusion. See whether you or someone you know is eligible to participate in our clinical trials.
Learn more about participating in a clinical trial. Ask your doctor or nurse why they think you might need a transfusion if you're not sure. What happens Before having a blood transfusion, the procedure will be explained to you and you'll be asked to sign a consent form. You'll only be given blood that's safe for someone with your blood group.
During a blood transfusion: You sit or lie down in a chair or bed. A needle is inserted into a vein in your arm or hand. The needle is connected to a tube and a bag of blood. The blood runs through the tube into your vein. It can take up to 4 hours to receive 1 bag of blood, but it's usually quicker than this. You can normally go home soon after, unless you're seriously unwell or need a lot of blood.
How you might feel during and after You might feel a sharp prick when the needle is first inserted into your vein, but you should not feel anything during the transfusion. Find out more. Receiving a transfusion Find out everything you need to know about your transfusion and what happens on the day. Back to top. Popular pages. How to donate blood. Check your eligibility. Create an account. Frequently asked questions.
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