Incidence TACO is estimated to occur in up to 1% of transfusions, with higher rates reported in studies using active surveillance methodologies. For several reasons, TACO is likely one of the most underreported transfusion complications to hospital transfusion. A retrospective…
Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions (DHTRs) typically occur 3–10 days after red blood cell (RBC) transfusion that appear to be serologically compatible. These reactions occur in patients who have been alloimmunized to minor RBC antigens during previous transfusions and/or pregnancies; pretransfusion…
Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions (AHTRs) may occur when either incompatible RBCs or large amounts of incompatible plasma are transfused, which can lead to antibody–antigen binding in the recipient. AHTRs can lead to minimal hemolysis with no clinical sequelae, or can…
Allergic reactions are common reactions to blood transfusions. On one end of the spectrum, typical mild allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs) consist of isolated, pruritic/urticarial lesions and occur during or within 2 hours of transfusion. On the other end of the…
Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs) are common, occurring with 1–3% of transfusions. FNHTR manifests as fever and/or chills without hemolysis occurring in the patient during or within 4 hours of transfusion cessation. Diagnosis is made by excluding other causes of…
Transfusion of blood products can lead to number of adverse events and outcomes in recipients, ranging from subclinical infection with a virus that can remain undiagnosed for decades, to acute immune hemolysis or acute septic reaction resulting in rapid onset…
Patient blood management (PBM) is the term given to the appropriate use of blood transfusion to optimize patient care. Patient-centric approach is its core principle ( Fig. 59.1 ). PBM is “transfusing the right product in the right dose to…
Introduction Massive transfusion for an adult recipient is traditionally defined as the transfusion of ≥10 red blood cell (RBC) units < 24 hours (approximately, 1 total blood volume [TBV]). Some definitions that are more applicable in real time include the…
Platelet refractoriness is defined as an inappropriately low platelet count increment after platelet transfusion. There are nonimmune and immune causes for platelet refractoriness ( Table 57.1 ), with nonimmune causes being responsible for the majority of cases. Evaluation of the…
A doctrine introduced in 1945 by Jehovah’s Witnesses teaches that the Bible prohibits the consumption, storage, and transfusion of human blood (Genesis 9:3, 4 and Acts 15:19, 20). The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania have issued many…