The Life Saving History of Blood Transfusion
25 August 2015
Today, blood transfusions are a standard medical procedure. They are used in everything from replacing blood lost in surgery to treating anaemia and inherited blood disorders. An enormous 8,000 units of blood are used in transfusions every day in the UK alone. However, it was not until the mid-war years of 1919- 1938 that blood transfusion came into common usage.
The earliest recorded blood transfusion was carried out in 1665 on dogs. However, it would be another century before the first recorded human blood transfusion was performed. Although not made public at the time, Phil Syng Physick carried out a successful transfusion in 1795 in Philadelphia. 23 years later in Britain, the obstetrician James Blundell performed the first successful transfusion of blood for the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage by syringe.
Transfusion technique evolved with the introduction of anastomosis devised by the French surgeon Alexis Carrel in 1908. In this process, clotting could be prevented by sewing the vein of the recipient directly to the artery of the donor. The technique continued to be used in the early 20th century although it was complex and time-consuming, and brought with it potential complications for both the donor and recipient.
The arrival of WWI saw blood transfusion tested in the field for the first time. The pressure to treat high numbers of casualties resulted in two major advancements. Firstly that blood could be prevented from clotting once removed from the body by mixing it with sodium citrate. Secondly, that the lifespan of stored blood could be extended by refrigeration.
At this time, understanding of compatibility or blood grouping, as we know it today, was starting to grow. However, many surgeons believed the process to be too time consuming, particularly with a large number of casualties coming through. It was therefore generally accepted that there would be a number of incompatible transfusions, which was viewed as preferable to delaying treatment.
This was the first time that transfusion was used as a measure to treat the wounded on a mass scale, and the improvement in survival rates from transfusions in WW1 led to its clinical acceptance in the inter-war period and its increased use in WWII.
In our modern age, blood transfusions save countless lives and make many surgical techniques possible. According to Give Blood England and Wales, Over 25% of us will require blood at least once in our lifetime.
In the UK, 30% of blood transfusions are carried out during surgery, another 30% to treat anaemia and 18% used in haematology. However, blood is also used for many routine procedures and treatments with 6% used in maternity and 5% for other usage.
Robust blood transfusion is undoubtedly one of the most significant medical developments of the 20th century. Transfusion underpins our medical system and without it, many of the health innovations we benefit from today would never have been possible.
< Back to blog list
Share
