Transfusion Intensity (TI) in a Patient with Myelodysplasia

Patient selection: myelodysplasia with a history of blood transfusion

Parameters:

(1) number of red blood cell units transfused at a given episode

(2) number of days since the previous transfusion

transfusion intensity in units per year =

= (number of units transfused) * 365 / (number of days since the last transfusion)

Interpretation:

• A patient who requires 2 units per month would have a TI of 24.3

• A rising TI indicates increasing transfusion requirements.