Acute Respiratory Failure during Routine Blood Transfusion: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background

Transfusion medicine is a common practice in the emergency department (ED) and other outpatient settings, and may be complicated by a low rate of potentially fatal transfusion-related reactions.

Objectives

This article presents a case of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) diagnosed and treated in the ED and reviews the differential diagnosis of acute transfusion reactions.

Case Report

A 74-year-old woman presented to the ED from the hospital's transfusion center with fever and respiratory distress immediately after the start of her second unit of red blood cell transfusion. Chest radiograph demonstrated a pattern consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). After 48 h of respiratory support and antibiotic therapy, the patient's condition improved.

Conclusion

TRALI is a clinical diagnosis with presentation similar to that of ARDS. Prompt differentiation from other transfusion reactions and initiation of appropriate treatment is crucial in minimizing the morbidity and mortality associated with this syndrome.