7.1 Indications of blood transfusion: 

Blood transfusion is giving whole blood or part as red cell to replace blood lost through injury, surgery or disease.

• Promote oxygen delivery in patients who are actively bleeding
• For symptomatic anemia unresponsive to conservative management, or when time does not permit alternative treatment.
• For improving the bleeding tendency of a severely anemic patient with platelet dysfunction or severe thrombocytopenia.
• Increase blood volume.

The decision to transfuse red blood cells should be made only after consideration of several factors (Table 7,1). The age and general condition of the patient and the presence of coexisting cardiac, pulmonary, or vascular conditions will influence the patient's ability to tolerate acute blood loss or chronic anemia. Blood can be stored in a variety of solutions that contain citrate, phosphate, dextrose, and possibly adenine at a temperature of 40C.