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Chronic Transfusion Support: Challenging Cases

Program: Education Program
Hematology Disease Topics & Pathways:
Biological, Diseases, Therapies, Hemoglobinopathies, Clinically relevant, transfusion
Monday, December 7, 2020: 11:25 AM-11:30 AM

Description:
Blood transfusion therapy is a critical component of the care of patients with a variety of hematologic disorders. This educational session will review ways to optimize transfusion therapy in an outpatient setting, focusing on patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, thalassemias and sickle cell disease. Transfusion thresholds and targets will be evaluated in the context of challenging adult and pediatric patient cases. Best-practices around clinical coordination and logistics will be reviewed. The role of concomitant medical therapies to support patients receiving transfusions will also be assessed. The social, emotional and financial burdens of chronic transfusion therapy can weigh heavily on patients. Through a multidisciplinary approach, there may be opportunities to alleviate those obstacles and optimize patient adherence and outcomes. Dr. Erica Wood will present current recommendations for transfusion therapy for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. Recent data on transfusion thresholds will be reviewed in the context of patient preference and clinical outcomes. Dr. Ashutosh Lal will discuss challenges in managing transfusion therapy for patients with hemoglobin E/beta thalassemia, beta thalassemia intermedia, and alpha thalassemia major, where traditional transfusion goals may not apply. Dr. Jennifer Webb will examine the social burdens of transfusion therapy, focusing on pediatric patients with sickle cell disease and their families.

Chair:
Jennifer Webb, MD, Children's National Health System, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Disclosures:
No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Blood transfusion therapy is a critical component of the care of patients with a variety of hematologic disorders. This educational session will review ways to optimize transfusion therapy in an outpatient setting, focusing on patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, thalassemias and sickle cell disease. Transfusion thresholds and targets will be evaluated in the context of challenging adult and pediatric patient cases. Best-practices around clinical coordination and logistics will be reviewed. The role of concomitant medical therapies to support patients receiving transfusions will also be assessed. The social, emotional and financial burdens of chronic transfusion therapy can weigh heavily on patients. Through a multidisciplinary approach, there may be opportunities to alleviate those obstacles and optimize patient adherence and outcomes. Dr. Erica Wood will present current recommendations for transfusion therapy for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. Recent data on transfusion thresholds will be reviewed in the context of patient preference and clinical outcomes. Dr. Ashutosh Lal will discuss challenges in managing transfusion therapy for patients with hemoglobin E/beta thalassemia, beta thalassemia intermedia, and alpha thalassemia major, where traditional transfusion goals may not apply. Dr. Jennifer Webb will examine the social burdens of transfusion therapy, focusing on pediatric patients with sickle cell disease and their families.

Ashutosh Lal, MD

Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland, Oakland, CA

Erica M. Wood, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA

School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Clinical Haematology, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Jennifer Webb, MD

Children's National Health System, Washington, DC

See more of: Education Program