Effect of red cell transfusion in critically ill patients

PhD thesis defense Maike van Hezel

 

On 28 February 2020 Maike van Hezel will defend her thesis at the University of Amsterdam. In her thesis Maike investigated the effect of RBC transfusion on the host immune response. She concludes that RBC transfusions in critically ill patients are associated with an inflammatory and procoagulant host response.

Activated neutrophils, monocytes, platelets and endothelium cells are likely to be involved in this complex response, which seems stronger when an inflammatory status is present in the recipient.

She hypothesizes that RBC derived extracellular vesicles are potent mediators of the association between RBC transfusion and the host response. There are multiple opportunities for further improvement of clinical practice as well as of the RBC product, with the aim to reduce immune modulating effects of RBC transfusion.

Promotores: Prof. dr. N.P. Juffermans, Prof. dr. M.J. Schultz (AMC, UvA)
Copromotor: Dr. R. van Bruggen

Location: Agnietenkapel, Amsterdam (12:00)