Cross matching

Cross-matching is a laboratory procedure performed prior to a blood transfusion to determine if the donor's blood is compatible with the blood of an intended recipient. Cross-matching is used to prevent a transfusion reaction, which could occur if the recipient's immune system attacks the donor blood cells, leading to potentially serious complications.

Procedure

The cross-matching procedure involves mixing a sample of the recipient's serum with a sample of the donor's red blood cells. This is done in a test tube, which is then incubated at 37 degrees Celsius for 15 to 30 minutes. After incubation, the tube is centrifuged and the serum is examined for signs of agglutination or hemolysis, which would indicate a reaction between the recipient's antibodies and the donor's red blood cells.

Types of Cross-matching

There are two types of cross-matching: immediate spin and full cross-match. The immediate spin cross-match is a quicker procedure that can be completed in about 5 minutes. It is used to detect major ABO incompatibility, but it does not detect all possible antibody-mediated reactions. The full cross-match is a more thorough procedure that takes about 45 minutes to complete. It is used to detect both major and minor incompatibilities.

Importance

Cross-matching is an essential part of ensuring the safety of blood transfusions. It helps to prevent transfusion reactions, which can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, chest pain, back pain, and anaphylaxis. In severe cases, a transfusion reaction can lead to shock, kidney failure, or death.

See Also

• Blood transfusion
• ABO blood group system
• Rh blood group system
• Transfusion reaction
• Hemolytic disease of the newborn

Cross matching Resources
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