Abstract

Transfusion Medicine and Hemostasis is a manual-style book that links transfusion medicine and hemostasis to laboratory methods and diagnostic tests engaged in routine and specialized coagulation laboratories. The book is divided into two main parts with chapters that are brief and readable.
The first main part of the book is subdivided into blood banking and transfusion medicine. Under blood banking, the chapters cover blood collection, donation process, component manufacturing, donor testing and storage; transfusion-medicine chapters examine the components for transfusion, pre-transfusion immunohematology testing, blood groups, blood products and their modifications, approaches to transfusion therapy in specific clinical settings, and transfusion reactions and complications. In addition, chapters that talk about apheresis, cellular therapy, and tissue banking in the hospital setting are included.
Hemostasis, the second main part of the book, is subdivided into three sections. The first section, clinical coagulation, includes chapters about neonatal thrombocytopenia, inherited platelet function disorders, immune thrombocytopenia, immune-mediated coagulopathies, congenital bleeding disorders, and acquired bleeding disorders. The second section relates to laboratory testing of coagulation, with chapters about laboratory assessments of platelet disorders, von Willebrand disease, coagulation factor disorders, fibrinogen and fibrinolysis, tests for hypercoagulable state and for activation of the coagulation system, and laboratory support for anticoagulation. The third section discusses coagulation factor products.
This book will be valuable for the education of trainees, practitioners, and future leaders in these fields.

"Given the cross disciplinary nature of transfusion medicine and the intensive focus on transfusion medicine and hemostasis as evidenced by the Transfusion Medicine, Hemostasis Clinical Trials Network sponsored by NHLBI, this textbook is both timely and needed by practitioners in both clinical and laboratory disciplines. The book is written exclusively by faculty of one of the leading programs in transfusion medicine, hemostasis, and hematology and covers important adult and pediatric concepts in these two fields. I know that hematologists, pathologists, and clinicians who depend upon transfusion and hemostatic support will find this novel text interesting and valuable in their practice and teaching efforts."

--Paul M. Ness, MD, Director, Transfusion Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Professor of Pathology and Medicine & Oncology,  Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

"Few transfusion medicine texts have given such weight and focus to hemostasis. The combination of clinical and laboratory aspects in a concise format is superb. This book will be very useful both for those interested in transfusion medicine and those interested in hemostasis."

-- Ellis Neufeld, MD, PhD, Associate Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology , Children's Hospital Boston, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

 "This is an outstanding addition to transfusion medicine textbooks. For years we have needed the optimal text for training residents, fellows, and practitioners all in one book. The inclusion of coagulation, laboratory aspects and transfusion medicine was insightful and reflects the multi-disciplinary and clinical identity of Transfusion Medicine."

--Leslie Silberstein, MD, Director, Joint Program in Transfusion Medicine at Children's Hospital Boston, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

"The book edited by Dr. Christopher Hillyer, Beth Shaz, James Zimring and Thomas Abshire entitled Transfusion Medicine and Hemostasis:  Clinical and Laboratory Aspects provides wonderful bite-size comments and clear concise recommendations.  This makes for a very practical textbook that should be useful to a wide body of healthcare workers who deal with the use of blood products or patients with bleeding or thrombosis.  The coverage of topics in transfusion medicine and coagulation is broad.  This is a major advantage of the textbook that makes it particularly useful.  The connection between the underlying pathophysiology and the clinical disorders and the treatment recommendations is at the level of just what you want to know.  This book is a winner, and I strongly endorse its use by anyone requiring information in this field."  

--Michael Laposata, MD, PhD,  Pathologist in Chief, Vanderbilt University Hospital, Professor of Pathology and Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA