Blood Transfusion

• What are the main blood groups mentioned?

  A, B, AB, and O
• Why did early blood transfusions sometimes fail?

  Due to rejection and incompatibility of blood types
• Who discovered the existence of blood groups?

  1. Carl Landsteiner
• What was the significance of group O blood?

  It is universal and can be used with any group
• How did the discovery of blood groups impact transfusions?

  It reduced the risk of blood rejection
• What problem did blood storage present?

  Blood would clot and become unusable
• Who discovered that sodium citrate could stop blood clotting?

  1. Richard Lewerson
• What was the outcome of using stored blood at the Battle of Cambray?

  11 out of 20 soldiers survived
• What was a common side effect of complex surgery?

  Shock from blood loss
• What were the three main problems solved during WWI regarding blood transfusions?

  Rejection, storage, and donor-patient proximity
• Why did blood transfusions remain unusual during WWI despite advances?

  They were still not widely practiced
• How did the advances in blood transfusions during WWI save lives?

  By ensuring enough compatible blood was available