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Partial Volume Exchange Transfusion — Evaluation Prior to PVET — Clinical Pathway: ICU

Partial Volume Exchange Transfusion, Clinical Pathway, ICU

Evaluation Prior to PVET

Most common reasons for PVET include severe chronic anemia or Polycythemia/Hyperviscosity syndrome. If exchange transfusion is also needed for antibody removal/significant associated hyperbilirubinemia, see double volume exchange transfusion clinical pathway.

History and Physical

Birth History
  • Gestational age
  • Date, time of birth
  • Maternal blood type
  • Maternal antibody history
  • Patient blood type
  • History of intrauterine transfusions
    • Date of last and total # of transfusions
  • Birth hospital
  • Prior blood bank workup of patient at birth hospital
History
  • Prior interventions (simple transfusion, fluid administration, etc.)
  • Feeding status (should be made NPO for procedure as soon as determined exchange might be indicated)
  • Sepsis assessment (link to sepsis pathway)
  • Antibiotic therapy
  • Signs/symptoms of Anemia:
    • Tachycardia, lethargy, pallor
  • Signs/symptoms of Polycythemia:
    • Hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, cyanosis*, oxygen requirement, thrombocytopenia, jitteriness, apnea, poor feeding, lethargy, seizures, tremors, plethora, hematuria
Physical Assessment
  • Vital signs, weight
  • General appearance
  • Hydration status
  • Cardiac exam: active precordium, murmur, gallop
  • Respiratory exam: respiratory distress, oxygen requirement
  • Neurologic exam: jitteriness, tremors, apnea, seizures
  • Skin exam: pallor, plethora, cyanosis, petechiae/signs of thrombocytopenia
  • Abdominal exam: hepatosplenomegaly
  • Miscellaneous: edema
Labs
  • Send the following labs STAT if not already sent:
    • CBC
    • Reticulocyte count
    • Type and screen
    • Blood type confirmation
    • Bilirubin
    • Glucose
*In the setting of polycythemia, patients may have normal oxygen saturation despite cyanotic appearance

 

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