Review of published recommendations and guidelines for the transfusion of allogeneic red blood cells and plasma.

This article presents an evaluation of published guidelines and therapeutic recommendations for the transfusion of allogeneic red blood cells and plasma. In this review of published clinical practice guidelines it is noted that most of the guidelines were weak in terms of the methods they used, compared with current norms. The concept of an arbitrary transfusion trigger for allogeneic red blood cell transfusions or standard protocols for plasma use was refuted by most guidelines, instead most advocated an assessment of clinical need or use of clinical judgment.