1. Transfusion requirements in critical care / Martin G. Tweeddale -- 2. Bioactive substances in blood for transfusion / Hans J. Nielsen -- 3. Haemostatic problems in the intensive care unit / Samuel J. Machin -- 4. Activated protein C and severe sepsis / Pierre-Francois Laterre -- 5. Transfusion-related acute lung injury / Andrew Bodenham, Sheila MacLennan and Simon V. Baudouin -- 6. The use of colloids in the critically ill / Claudio Martin -- 7. Radical reactions of haem proteins / Chris E. Cooper