Transfusion reactions

Question 1

Allergy (features and management)
Presentation ranges from […] to […] and […].
Management: […] the transfusion, give […], […] (if anaphylactic), Chlorphenamine, and Hydrocortisone.

Answer 1

Allergy (features and management)
Presentation ranges from urticaria to angioedema and anaphylaxis. Management: stop the transfusion, give saline, Adrenaline (if anaphylactic), Chlorphenamine, and Hydrocortisone.

Question 2

Acute haemolytic transfusion reaction (features and management)

1. Caused by giving an […] blood bag to a patient. Early signs include […], hypotension, and anxiety. Late complications include generalised bleeding secondary to […][…][…] ([…]).
2. Management: stop the transfusion, give saline, treat DIC.

Answer 2

Acute haemolytic transfusion reaction (features and management)

Caused by giving an incompatible blood bag to a patient. Early signs include fever, hypotension, and anxiety. Late complications include generalised bleeding secondary to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Management: stop the transfusion, give saline, treat DIC.`

Question 3

Febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reaction (features and management)
1. Presents with fever, rigors/chills, but patients are otherwise well. 2. Management: […] the transfusion, give […].

Answer 3

Febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reaction (features and management)
Presents with fever, rigors/chills, but patients are otherwise well. Management: slow the transfusion, give Paracetamol.

Question 4

Transfusion-related acute lung injury TRALI (features and management)
1. Presents with […] […] and can cause […] […] […] […] (ARDS).
Management: stop transfusion, give saline, treat ARDS.

Answer 4

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (features and management)
Presents with pulmonary oedema and can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Management: stop transfusion, give saline, treat ARDS.

Question 5

Transfusion-associated circulatory overload TACO (features and management)
1. Presents with fluid […].
2. Management: slow transfusion, […].

Answer 5

Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (features and management)
Presents with fluid overload. Management: slow transfusion, Furosemide.

Question 6

Delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction (features)

Caused by an exaggerated response to a foreign antigen the patient has been exposed to before.
Patients present with […], […], and fever, usually day 5 post-transfusion.

Answer 6

Delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction (features)

Caused by an exaggerated response to a foreign antigen the patient has been exposed to before. Patients present with jaundice, anaemia, and fever, usually day 5 post-transfusion.

Question 7

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (cause)

Caused by donor blood lymphocytes attacking the recipient’s body.
Rare but high risk of mortality.

Answer 7

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (cause)

Caused by donor blood lymphocytes attacking the recipient’s body.
Rare but high risk of mortality.