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Red Blood Cell Transfusion
Red blood cell transfusion restores oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing circulating hemoglobin and red blood cell count in anemic or hemorrhaging patients.
Red blood cell transfusion restores oxygen-carrying capacity by increasing circulating hemoglobin and red blood cell count in anemic or hemorrhaging patients. Used for Acute hemorrhage and hemodynamic instability, Severe symptomatic anemia, Chronic anemia unresponsive to medical management.
At a glance
| Generic name | Red Blood Cell Transfusion |
|---|---|
| Also known as | erythrocyte transfusion, PRBC transfusion, RBC transfusion, • Red blood cells, • Transfusion |
| Sponsor | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey |
| Drug class | Blood product / Cellular therapy |
| Modality | Biologic |
| Therapeutic area | Hematology / Critical Care |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Transfused red blood cells contain hemoglobin that binds and transports oxygen throughout the body, restoring tissue oxygenation in patients with severe anemia, acute blood loss, or chronic conditions causing erythrocyte deficiency. This is a cellular replacement therapy rather than a pharmacological intervention, providing immediate hemodynamic support and oxygen delivery to vital organs.
Approved indications
- Acute hemorrhage and hemodynamic instability
- Severe symptomatic anemia
- Chronic anemia unresponsive to medical management
- Perioperative blood loss
Common side effects
- Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction
- Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction
- Allergic reaction
- Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
- Iron overload (with chronic transfusion)
- Infection transmission (rare with modern screening)
Key clinical trials
- Bevacizumab In Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (PHASE2)
- Haploidentical Transplant for People With Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) Using Alemtuzumab, Busulfan and TBI With Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide (EARLY_PHASE1)
- Biological Parameters Changes After Autologous Blood Transfusion of Red Blood Cells (200 ml) in Healthy Volunteers. (NA)
- INTERCEPT Blood System for RBCs Study in Regions at Potential Risk for Zika Virus Transfusion-Transmitted Infections (PHASE3)
- Allo HSCT for High Risk Hemoglobinopathies (PHASE2)
- Effects of Donor-recipient Sex-matched Blood Transfusion on Patient Outcomes (PHASE4)
- A Study of Incidence, Treatment Patterns, and Outcomes in Transfusion-dependent Lower-risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes in Spain
- A Study to Compare Elritercept With Epoetin Alfa to Treat Anemia in Adults With Very Low, Low, or Intermediate Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Who Need Regular Blood Transfusions (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Red Blood Cell Transfusion CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Red Blood Cell Transfusion updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey portfolio CI