Patients who require blood transfusions generally fall into two categories: those who require transfusions resulting from acute blood loss that might be associated with surgery; or those requiring chronic transfusions associated with treatment for chronic anemias, chemotherapy, or bone marrow transplant.

Patients transfused with blood from someone besides themselves, allogeneic transfusions, are often associated with a wide variety of adverse effects. One particular component of transfused blood, that is, the leukocyte component, has been identified as a potent mediator of serious clinical complications.

Leukocyte reduction by filtration of blood components has been clinically demonstrated as an effective prophylactic measure in minimizing leukocyte-associated risks of transfusion.

For information on transfusion complications, see Leukocyte Associated Risks of Transfusions.

For information on countries adopting leukocyte reduction as standard practice, see Countries On The Cutting Edge Of Blood Transfusions.