Grant: Project Grant

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are selected based upon matching donor and recipient blood group: donor and recipient sex are not considered when selecting blood for transfusion. Hence, transfused patients currently receive both sex-matched and/or unmatched RBCs when transfusions are given. Sex-matched stem cell transplants, and some solid organ transplants, have shown that sex-matching donor to recipient improves patient outcomes. Recent exploratory studies have also suggested that patient outcomes could be improved by sex-matching for RBC transfusion. There is emerging evidence of underlying biologic mechanism(s) to support these observations. This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial and will explore the impact on patients who receive RBC transfusions from donors of the same sex ("sex-matched") compared with donors of the opposite sex ("sex-mismatched"). The trial will study adult patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit who require an RBC transfusion. Patients will be assigned (through a process called randomization) to receive sex-matched RBCs or sex-mismatched RBCs to determine if there is a difference in mortality between those receiving matched versus mismatched RBCs. The results of this trial could have direct implications on resources, blood inventory, and RBC transfusion ordering practices. This project is consistent with CIHR objectives to improve individual health while identifying the implications and risk to the health delivery system. This study brings together a collaborative group of experienced investigators, including affiliates of Canadian Blood Services, for a study with potentially significant impact on patient outcomes, blood collection and transfusion practices.