Approach to a patient with suspected blood transfusion reaction Raju Vaddepally, MD
Goals Detection of Acute Transfusion Reactions (ATR) Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation of ATR Management of individual ATR
Q&A Which one of the following ATRs is most common reactions based on their frequency a) Urticaria b) Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction (FNHTR) c) Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) d) Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) e) Anaphylaxis f) Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction g) Sepsis
Q&A In which ATRs you should not continue transfusion of the original blood product a) Urticaria b) Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction (FNHTR) c) Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) d) Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) e) Anaphylaxis f) Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction g) Sepsis
Acute Transfusion Reaction Acute transfusion reactions range clinically benign to lifethreatening reactions Clinical nonspecific symptoms range from- fever or chills to ARDs, Anaphylaxis and DIC Prompt evaluation is necessary Different Types of ATRs Urticaria Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction (FNHTR) Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) Anaphylaxis Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction Sepsis
Urticarial transfusion reaction (UTR) Urticarial reactions are associated with hives but no other allergic findings (ie, no wheezing, angioedema, hypotension) Most common cause is an antigen-antibody interaction commonly implicated antigens include a number of donor serum proteins. UTR is not a contraindication to continuing the transfusion as long as it is clear there are no other allergic symptoms Antihistamines can be given, but are not indicated prophylactically
Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction (FNHTR) Fever, usually accompanied by chills, in the absence of other systemic symptoms FNHTR is a diagnosis of exclusion the possibility of other febrile transfusion reactions must be eliminated, including AHTR, sepsis, and TRALI Most common cause, is release of cytokines from WBCs in a product that has not been leukoreduced Management is symptomatic High quality evidence to support the prophylactic use of premedication with acetaminophen or antihistamines is lacking
Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) TACO is a form of pulmonary edema due to volume excess or circulatory overload large volume of a transfused product over a short period of time or in those with underlying cardiovascular disease or elderly Management includes diuresis and supplementary oxygen ventilatory support may rarely be required
Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) TRALI is a life-threatening form of acute lung injury It occurs when recipient neutrophils are activated by the transfused product in pulmonary vasculature Presenting findings include fever, chills, and respiratory distress Therapy is largely supportive may include intubation and mechanical ventilation A subsequent evaluation is directed at identifying an implicated donor so that individual does not continue to donate The patient can receive blood products from other donors without restrictions
Anaphylactic transfusion reaction This includes angioedema, wheezing, and/or hypotension It occurs in IgA-deficient individuals who produce anti- IgA antibodies that react with IgA in the transfused product or patients who have allergies to another constituent in the transfused product Management may include epinephrine (0.2 to 0.5 ml of a 1:1000 solution) SC or IM, antihistamines, and vasopressors depending on the degree of allergic symptoms
Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction (AHTR) Caused by acute intravascular hemolysis of transfused red blood cells (RBCs) often caused by a clerical error that results in transfusion of a product not intended for the recipient. Symptoms include fever, chills, flank pain, and oozing from intravenous sites Immediate communication with the transfusion service is critical to allow for appropriate record checking which may prevent administration of a wrongly labeled unit to another patient Treatment involves aggressive hydration and diuresis
Transfusion-associated sepsis Caused by transfusion of a product that contains a microorganism Initial findings may include fever, chills, and hypotension. Unlike sepsis from an underlying localized infection, transfusion-associated sepsis may involve a large intravenous inoculum Treatment includes broad-spectrum antibiotics and hemodynamic support
WHEN TO SUSPECT AN ATR Adverse signs and symptoms during or within 24 hours after completion of a transfusion Many of the most severe reactions occur within the first 15 minutes of transfusion Fever (a 1 C rise in temperature above baseline), chills, pruritus, and urticaria Often these resolve promptly without specific treatment or complications Other findings that may be an indication of a more severe, potentially fatal reaction include respiratory distress Hemoglobinuria loss of consciousness Hypertension hypotension flank or back pain, jaundice abnormal bleeding, oliguria/anuria Disseminated bleeding or oozing from intravenous sites mental status changes, including feelings of anxiety and/or dread
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS (ALL PATIENTS) Immediately stop the transfusion save the remaining bag and tubing for potential analysis Maintain a patent intravenous line with normal saline Confirm the correct product was transfused to the intended patient based on product labeling and patient identification Assess the patient s/s measure VS perform a limited PE Contact the transfusion service to discuss the appropriate evaluation and initial management
What do you do with remaining sample? Additional transfusion of the remaining product or another product is usually deferred until preliminary evaluation has been conducted If the symptoms subside and the correct product is confirmed decision deferred to treating physician and transfusion service Reactions in which transfusion of the same product may be possible include urticaria without other allergic symptoms fever due to an underlying illness rather than the transfusion TACO that has resolved with diuresis or other measures Transfusion of the original product should NOT be continued in cases of suspected AHTR Anaphylaxis Sepsis TRALI
Do you really need lab testing in all ATRs? Patients with following symptoms may not require additional evaluation urticaria alone increase in temperature of <1 C fever related to the patient's underlying illness TACO may not require laboratory evaluation In contrast, patients with the following symptoms will require laboratory or other testing suspected AHTR anaphylaxis, sepsis TRALI
Blood bank or laboratory will do the following A clerical check of the component container, label, paperwork, and initial patient sample used for typing and crossmatching Repeat ABO testing on the post-transfusion patient sample A visual check of both pre-and post-transfusion patient samples for evidence of hemolysis A direct antiglobulin (Coombs) test (DAT) on the post-transfusion patient sample
ADDITIONAL TESTING AND MANAGEMENT The aggressiveness of interventions depends on the severity of the reaction and the suspected diagnosis Monitoring urine for pink color and/or urine analysis for blood Serial hemoglobin levels, Hemolytic labs to detect intravascular hemolysis Coagulation testing for DIC Quantitative IgA levels, as well as the presence of antibodies (anti-iga) CBC, WBC, Blood cultures CXR, BNP
Stable patient, mild reaction Examples: Isolated fever less than 1 degree celsius without chills Isolated hives/itching without other allergic sx Hypothermia from refrigerated blood product It is important to monitor the patient until the reaction has subsided Symptomatic Rx could be enough without other additional testing Blood transfusion can be resumed after a 15 to 30minute pause
General INFO One(1) unit of blood = 500 ml NSS = The Only fluid compatible with Blood Tranfusion Gauge = 19, 18, 17, 16 ( 18-19 most commonly use) Administer within 30 minutes to decrease bacterial growth Four(4) hours = maximum time of infusion Two(2) nurses = check compatibility of blood Warm the blood = wrap it in a dry towel Mixing blood = tilt side to side Twenty(20) gtts/min for the first 20 mins or 15 minutes KVO = 10 TO 15gtts Consent = needed for Blood Transfusion. Now you can offer video on TV to bypass paper consent If there is reaction Stop infusion Open the NSS line Notify the physician Bring blood at the Blood Bank
- Austrian biologist and physician. - He is noted for having first distinguished the main blood groups in 1900, having developed the modern system of classification of blood groups from his identification of the presence of agglutinins in the blood