News on the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources

3D rendered image shows a close-up image of a sickle-shaped red blood cell surrounded by mixture of normal blood cells and sickled cells.

August 27, 2024

News Release

‘Low-intensity’ blood stem cell transplants for sickle cell appear safe for lung health

NIH study finds lung function remained stable or improved in adults after transplant So-called low-intensity blood stem cell transplants, which use milder conditioning agents than standard stem cell transplants, do not appear to damage the lungs and may help improve lung function in some patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), according to a three...

Patient with coronavirus infection is connected to ECMO machine in intensive care department.

February 25, 2022

NHLBI in the Press

Study: ECMO shortage linked to premature COVID-19 deaths in hospitalized young adults

Nearly 90% of COVID-19 patients who qualified for but did not receive ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) due to a shortage of devices during the pandemic died in the hospital.

Pregnant Black woman experiences episode of pain while sitting on a couch.

February 10, 2022

NHLBI in the Press

Study finds new evidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes when taking hydroxyurea for sickle cell

Researchers are reporting new evidence that pregnant women who are taking hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease may face more adverse pregnancy outcomes than those who are not taking the drug.

Sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood vessels, causing severe pain and other medical problems.

December 12, 2021

NHLBI in the Press

Experimental gene therapy approach for sickle cell shows promise for eliminating pain

An experimental gene therapy approach for treating sickle cell disease shows promise for eliminating painful crises that are associated with the condition, according to interim findings from a clinical trial.

Red Virus and blue DNA strand - medical 3D illustration with dark blue background

December 09, 2021

Research Feature

Advancing blood research to help patients recover from COVID-19

NIH research continues to evaluate how blood thinners and anti-inflammatory medications may strengthen recovery at different points in the life of the virus W. Keith Hoots, M.D., director of the Division of Blood Disorders and Resources (DBDR) at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), shares insight into how treatments that break up...

Medical technician displays bag of plasma derived from donor blood.

August 18, 2021

NHLBI in the Press

Published results show no benefit of COVID-19 convalescent plasma in high-risk outpatients

The final results of the Clinical Trial of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma in Outpatients (C3PO) demonstrate that COVID-19 convalescent plasma did not prevent disease progression in a high-risk group of outpatients with COVID-19.

Portrait of young woman wearing a protective mask laying in recliner chair receiving a blood transfusion

June 09, 2021

Research Feature

World Blood Donor Day

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. And according to the American Red Cross, a single donation can save up to three lives. On June 14, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) joins the World Health Organization (WHO) in observing World Blood Donor Day. Simone Glynn, M.D., M.P.H., chief of the Blood Epidemiology and...