The amount of packed cells required in a transfusion can be calculated by the formula:
The blood is given over four hours when transfusing anaemic patients, but in the case of acute haemorrhage then the rate of transfusion is faster and dictated by the patient's haemodynamic stability.
A risk of volume overload exists under most transfusional circumstances, and a dose of frusemide, 1mg per kilogram, may be given halfway through the transfusion to prevent this.
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