The Transfusion Management of Beta Thalassemia in the United States

These are the first recommendations directed toward hematologists and transfusion medicine specialists that are designed to specifically address concerns that are pertinent to the thalassemia population in the U.S.

Here, we discuss the rationale for transfusion therapy in β thalassemia, the challenges in developing transfusion recommendations, and the sources and limitations of existing guidelines for the U.S. patient population. The transfusion recommendations are the unified opinion of the Consortium based on the multidisciplinary principles of optimizing patient outcome and satisfaction, reducing transfusion complications, and facilitating blood inventory management.