[Prevention of pulmonary micro-embolism during blood transfusion by means of fine mesh filters (author's transl)].

Disturbances of the pulmonary micro-circulation may be due to embolic obstruction by particles in stored blood. Mechanical blocking of the lung circulation plays an important pathogenetic role in the development of progressive respiratory failure. Extraneous micro-particles can be partly eliminated from stored blood by filtration. Although a detailed clinical study of the value of microfiltration of stored bloods is still missing, the prophylactic use of fine mesh filters is advisable for all transfusions of whole blood or corpuscle concentrates regardless of the quantity to be transfused.