Complications of blood transfusion
[Ref: PK1:p255]
Background
- About 3% of patients receiving transfusions have reactions
- Fatal reactions occur in 1 in 50,000 transfusions
Immunological reactions
Immediate or delayed
Immediate reactions
Massive intravascular haemolysis
* Due to IgM or IgG antibodies activating complement system
* e.g. ABO antibodies
Severity depends on the recipient's titre of antibodies
Reactions associated with coating of RBC with IgG
--> Extravascular haemolysis
--> Less severe
* e.g. Rh antibodies
Severe haemolytic transfusion reactions include
- Urticaria
- Flushing
- Chest pain
- Dyspnoea
- Rigors
- Tachycardia
- Shock
--> May progress to bleeding and renal shutdown
RBC destruction can lead to:
- Jaundice
- Haemoglobinuria
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Delayed reactions
If recipient develops antibodies to antigens present on donor RBC during or after transfusion
--> Secondary response with rapid rise of IgG antibodies
* More frequently with antigens of Kidd (Jk), Duffy (Fy), Rhesus (Rh), Kell (K), and S blood group systems
- White cell reactions
* Febrile reaction in 2% of all transfusions
- Graft-vs-host reaction
* Rare
* Deposition of donor lymphocytes in recipient's skin, liver, or GIT
--> Leading to rash, hepatitis, or diarrhoea
- Post-transfusional purpura
* Consumptive thrombocytopenia
* Occurs 7-10 days after transfusion
* Usually self-limiting, lasting for 2-6 weeks
- Anaphylaxis to plasma proteins
* Usually occurs in IgA-deficient patients whose sera contain anti-IgA antibodies
Non-immunological reactions
Septicaemia
Approximately 3 in 1000 units of blood may be contaminated with bacteria
* e.g. pseudomonas
Risk is higher with platelet
* Due to its storage at higher temperatures
May have signs of Gram-negative endotoxaemia
Blood-borne disease
- Hepatitis B and C
- CMV
* Likely to cause trouble for newborn, transplant patients and open-heart cardiac patients
- HIV
- Malaria, toxoplasmosis, syphilis
Other complications
- Air embolism
- Circulatory overload
- Iron overload