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Breathlessness and Blood: A Combustible Combination
Author(s) -
Popovsky Mark A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2002.tb05290.x
Subject(s) - transfusion related acute lung injury , medicine , intensive care medicine , intervention (counseling) , population , blood transfusion , lung , pulmonary edema , surgery , environmental health , psychiatry
Pulmonary complications are increasingly recognized as serious hazards of transfusion. The evidence suggests that transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) and transfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO) are underrecognized. Both present with dyspnea but other signs and symptoms assist in determining the proper diagnosis. Males and females are equally affected. Morbidity is significant with both complications and in the case of TRALI, the mortality is in the range of 6‐10%. Although the clinical descriptions of both entities are well established, the clinical profile of the at‐risk population for both TRALI and TACO is not well understood. Because early intervention can reduce morbidity, it is important that clinicians recognize these disorders and apply appropriate treatment.