Non-immunologic Transfusion Reactions Flashcards
What are the complications created by the physical characterisitics of blod?
Hypothermia
Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload
With massive rapid transfusions, large amounts of blood at 1-10o C contributes to ?
hypothermia
What may happen when a patient is hypothermic from a transfusion with a large amount of cold blood?
Hemostasis may be impaired and may cause cardiac dysrhythmias and arrest
What is TACO?
Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload
Volume overload. Common, especially in patients with CHF or renal failure, the very young, and the elderly
What are the signs of TACO?
Suspect if patient complains of dyspnea, orthopnea, cough, or chest pain during or soon after transfusion, especially if there are signs of hypoxia, rales, tachycardia, or hypertension
What is the treatment for TACO?
Treatment is oxygen and diuresis and slowing the rate of transfusion
What is the cause of iron overload in transfusions?
Each unit of PRBCs has about 200 mg of iron, so chronic transfusions can cause iron accumulation in various tissues
What are the symptoms of iron overload?
A patient who has received 100 or more units of RBCs may develop cardiac dysrhythmias, pancreatic failure, and LFT abnormalities
What is the treatment for iron overload?
Treatment is chelation therapy.
What is potassium toxicicty?
Potassium leaks out of RBCs during storage and may cause temporary hyperkalemia after transfusion
What is citrate?
Citrate is an anticoagulant used in the collection of all blood products and is transfused with the product
What is citrate toxicicity?
In massive rapid transfusions, citrate may accumulate and chelate calcium, causing hypocalcemia.
