Blood filter
OVERVIEW
- Blood filter
USES
- removal of microaggregates during blood transfusion
- platelet, leucocyte and fibrin aggregates form in stored blood and are thought to produce pulmonary microembolism -> pulmonary dysfunction
DESCRIPTION
- woven mesh (polyester or nylon)
- typically 170 micrometer pore size
- microaggregates require microfilters of 20-40 micrometer pore size
METHOD OF INSERTION AND/OR USE
- placed between product bag and patient
- screen filters: sieves with pores of a certain size
- depth filters: remove particles mainly be absorption (pore size varies)
- combination filters: both
OTHER INFORMATION
The use of microfilters is controversial as they:
(1) can cause complement activation -> increased microaggregate formation
(2) are expensive
(3) increase resistance to flow
(4) can cause haemolysis
COMPLICATIONS
- failure
- haemolysis
- increased resistance to blood flow
- complement activation
Critical Care
Compendium
Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.
He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.
His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.
On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.
| INTENSIVE | RAGE | Resuscitology | SMACC