Connect Sign InTransfusion Medicine Basics Series
Transfusion Reactions with Respiratory Distress
Respiratory transfusion reactions occur less frequently than allergic or febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions; however, they account for the highest number of transfusion-related fatalities, as actively reported to the FDA in the United States. They are also likely to occur at a rate of five to 10 times more often than are currently being passively reported. Careful assessment of patients before, during, and after transfusion is key to mitigate and treat respiratory transfusion reactions. This case-based educational review of transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) covers the basics with a practical approach to clinical understanding.
Dr. Joel Addams is a medical director of pathology at ARUP Laboratories and an assistant professor (clinical) with the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah. He received his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine and masters’ degrees from SOAS University of London and Goldsmith’s College, University of London. Dr. Addams completed his residency in pathology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, an internship in internal medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine, and a fellowship in transfusion medicine and blood banking, University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Addams is certified by the American Board of Pathology (clinical pathology, blood banking/transfusion medicine). His areas of specialty are transfusion medicine and blood banking.
Dr. Erica Swenson is a pathologist at ARUP Laboratories and an assistant professor (clinical) with the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah. Dr. Swenson received her medical degree from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences and completed her residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the Oregon Health and Science University. She also completed a fellowship in transfusion medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and a fellowship in hematopathology at the University of Colorado. Her research interests include transfusion medicine and coagulation.
