Advances in scientific studies and technology have allowed the creation oftherapeutic innovationsthat allow to cover needs from biological and scientific foundations. Among these types of procedures described,hemotherapy can be mentioned.
In the following article we will delve into what exactly hemotherapy is, what it is applied for and the risks existing in this type of procedures or therapies.
What is hemotherapy?
Hemotherapyis a medicinal therapy, which aims to know theappropriate use of blood, its components and even its derivatives.
It requireshighly efficient, specific and responsible studiesthat allow the identification of the pathology to be treated, guaranteeing timely and safe procedures. (1)
Note: Hemotherapy is applied with ablood transfusion. When performed with one’s own blood, it is called autohemotherapy.
On the other hand, hemotherapy isalso known as transfusion medicine and isa great immune stimulus, allowing the blood or its components to respond towards certain specific purposes and health problems can be treated.
What is hemotherapy applied for?
The application of hemotherapyhas certain quite specific principles, where its applications become indispensable for the correct recovery of the health of an individual. They will be mentioned and described below.
1. Significant blood loss
When there are, for different reasons, losses of significant amounts of blood, the application of hemotherapy will allow the coverage of the body’s requirements through transfusions, especially in platelet order.
2. Surgical processes
Blood lost in a surgical procedure must be recovered. An autohemotherapy can evenbe applied, through all the technological advances that exist, thus allowing the blood to proceed to be reinfused into the same patient. (two)
To highlight: Hemotherapy is planned in advance of a surgical intervention, thus committing to patient safety, adopting the necessary precautions to minimize the risks and adverse events that may arise.
3. Diseases of the blood
Pathologies of this nature usually require constant hemotherapy support , due to the difficulty the body has in maintaining adequate values, especially of blood components, for proper functioning.
Note: Among these pathologies we can highlight: anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, lupus, lymphomas, coagulopathies and thrombosis.
Risks of hemotherapy
Like any intervention in the stability of the organism, there are risks in the application of hemotherapy. They will be mentioned and described below for your consideration and knowledge.
1. Transmission of infectious agents
There are some general and standardized instructions,which are previously applied before carrying out a transfusion with hemotherapy. This is precisely due to the search to reduce risks, in the face of infectious agents that may be present in the blood, especiallyin the case of donors for hemotherapy.
In this sense, a judgment is applied that is essential because transfusions are usually done out of necessity, so compromising or complicating the recipients is not convenient. (3)
Note: The risk remains latent due to the presence of infectious agents that have not yet been identified as they are not present and reflected 100%.
2. Fever
Febrile reactions occur in less than 1% of the applied transfusions and are usually due to a type of immune reaction presented by the receiving organism, especially if there were previous sensitizing transfusions.
There is no way to avoid this, but the experience of the personnel performing the procedure will allow the qualification of the blood components used.
3. Alloimmunization
Alloimmunization is defined in general terms as the production of antibodies in the individual, which attack tissues of another individual, even of the same species. It tends to have, above all, a greater presence of incompatibility in the first pregnancies.
4. Lung disorders
The presence of Antileukocyte antibodies (antigens found in almost all cells of an individual’s tissues) allows the possibility of the production of aggregates at the level of the pulmonary microcirculation, which is stipulated as the second major cause of death in blood transfusion processes. (4)
5. Citrate toxicity
It is a complication, which is due to the presence of severe liver damage in the individual, or in case of too frequent transfers (every five minutes), as required by the medical team.
Note: Muscle cramps, arrhythmias, and in severe cases cardiac arrests occur.
6. Weakening of the immune system
There is a possibility of significant loss of platelets and protein,due to the dilution of coagulation factors by the hemotherapy process. When there is a massive transfusion, the numbers or functionality of these elements can be weakened.
Key Findings
- Hemotherapy is a tool that has advanced, opening the field for its application in cases of clinical need and for immunological stimulation.
- Hemotherapy is applied for the detoxification of substances in the body, transfusions, coverage of surgical interventions, among other procedures.
- Like any procedure , there are different risks , which in many cases cannot be avoided but have their treatment indicated through the professionals in charge.
- For hemotherapy, an exhaustive evaluation of the compatible qualities of the recipient individual and also of the health of the donor is required.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.