THE COMPLICATIONS OF BLOOD TRANSFUSION
The transfusion of blood and blood products are associated with certain risks and unfavorable effects (complications). Due to this, blood products should only be administered when alternate forms of therapy do not exist or are less effective. The side effects can be classified as follows:
1. IMMUNOLOGICAL:
a. Due to red cell antibodies
i) Sensitization to red cell antigens
ii) Hemolytic transfusion reactions (Immediate and delayed)
b. Due to white cell antibodies
i) Febrile transfusion reactions
ii) Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI)
iii) Transfusion-associated graft versus host disease (TA GVHD)
c. Due to platelet antibodies
i) Platelet refractoriness
ii) Post-transfusion purpura
d. Due to plasma protein antibodies
i) Urticaria
ii) Anaphylaxis
2. NON IMMUNOLOGICAL:
a. Transfusion-transmitted infections
i) Viral
(1) Hepatitis B Virus(HBV)
(2) Hepatitis C Virus(HCV)
(3) HIV 1 and 2
(4) Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
(5) HTLV I and II
(6) Parvovirus B19
(7) Epstein Barr (EB) virus
ii) Protozoal
(1) Malaria (Plasmodium spp.)
(2) Chaga‘s disease (T.cruzi)
iii) Bacterial
(1) Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)
(2) Yersinia enterocolitica
(3) Pseudomonas spp.
(4) Citrobacter, E.coli
(5) Others
iv) Prions
(1) CJD (Creutzfeld-Jakob disease)
b. Circulatory overload
c. Citrate toxicity
d. Potassium toxicity
e. Acid overload
f. Thrombophlebitis
g. Air embolism
h. Transfusion haemosiderosis
i). Complications of massive transfusions
ii) Dilution of coagulation factors
iii) Dilutional thrombocytopenia
iv) Hyperkalaemia
v) Hypocalcemia
