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On the Chessboard of Blood Donation: Abdul Mannan Reviews a Complex Case
Aug 21, 2025, 15:54

On the Chessboard of Blood Donation: Abdul Mannan Reviews a Complex Case

Abdul Mannan, Consultant Haematologist at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, shared on LinkedIn:

”When the blood bank calls with ‘this one is complicated‘…

97 years old. Hb 65 g/L. Pale, tachycardic, systolic murmur. But the real challenge?
Not the anaemia. Not the age. Not the frailty.

  • Auto anti-I, anti-HI, historic anti-e
  • DAT: strongly C3d positive, IgG negative
  • Cold agglutinin haemolysis + hypoalbuminemia

Suddenly, transfusion becomes less about giving blood and more about playing chess with physiology and immunology at the same time.
• Warmed, carefully selected, antigen-negative units
• AB RhD-positive, e-negative blood as the safest bet
• Meticulous warming protocols
• Slower rates + eagle-eyed monitoring for TACO

In geriatric transfusion medicine, sometimes the “easy” decision—just give blood—becomes a masterclass in precision, restraint, and physiology.

A reminder: transfusion is never just about red cells. It’s about the patient in front of you.”

Read the full case review here.

Review article: Comprehensive Case Review: Complex Cold Antibody Transfusion Challenge

Authors: Abdul Mannan

On the Chessboard of Blood Donation: Abdul Mannan Reviews a Complex Case

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