Open AccessComplications following an unnecessary peri-operative plasma transfusion and literature review
Author(s) -
Jay S. Raval,
Jonathan H. Waters,
Darrell J. Triulzi,
Mark H. Yazer
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
asian journal of transfusion science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.262
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1998-3565
pISSN - 0973-6247
DOI - 10.4103/0973-6247.137458
Subject(s) - medicine , etiology , adverse effect , perioperative , surgery , elective surgery , anesthesia , intensive care medicine
Plasma is used to correct coagulopathies, but not all coagulation abnormalities are clinically significant enough to require correction before an invasive procedure. We report an 82-year-old female who, in response to a mildly prolonged INR of unknown etiology, was unnecessarily transfused with plasma in advance of elective surgery. The patient suffered a moderately severe transfusion reaction, including hives and voice hoarseness, which caused a 4-week delay in her surgery. This delay and adverse reaction could have been avoided had the principles of evidence based plasma therapy, which we herein review, been followed and if the etiology of the mildly elevated INR been investigated before the day of her surgery.