Comment by palepinkpith on 18/11/2021 at 20:11 UTC

2419 upvotes, 3 direct replies (showing 3)

View submission: Blood bank pioneer Charles Drew was killed in a car crash in 1950. His injuries were too severe for him to be saved. Per wiki a passenger says a blood transfusion might have killed him sooner. Are there any reasons/conditions why a blood transfusion could kill a trauma victim sooner ? If so, how ?

Blood transfusions increase blood pressure. Since his superior vena cava was blocked, blood flow from the head/neck/chest was blocked. But blood flow to the head/neck/chest continued. This causes a spike in blood pressure localized to these regions. A further increase of blood pressure from the transfusion could result in a cerebral edema, throat swelling, or hemorrhaging

Replies

Comment by Krynja at 18/11/2021 at 22:19 UTC

778 upvotes, 3 direct replies

To make an analogy, the blood vessels in the head were a balloon. One way in no way out. Put more in and balloon pops.

Comment by barath_s at 19/11/2021 at 02:21 UTC

11 upvotes, 0 direct replies

That makes sense ! Thanks

Comment by [deleted] at 18/11/2021 at 20:36 UTC

0 upvotes, 0 direct replies

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