Highlights & Basics
- Immune-mediated transfusion reactions can be classified as acute or delayed. Prompt recognition of an immune-mediated transfusion reaction is fundamental to improving patient outcome.
- Acute reactions occur within 24 hours of transfusion and include acute hemolytic, febrile nonhemolytic, allergic, and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Delayed reactions occur days to weeks after the transfusion and include delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions, transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease, and post-transfusion purpura.
- Although infrequent, nonimmune transfusion reactions, including hemolysis, transfusion-associated sepsis, and circulatory overload, should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
- Acute hemolytic transfusion reactions are most often the result of clerical error. Identification is critical because of the high probability of a second patient receiving the wrong blood product at the same time.
- Treatment depends upon the type of transfusion reaction. Although pretransfusion prophylactic acetaminophen and diphenhydramine are often routinely administered, there is little evidence to support this practice.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
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