Transfusion Premedication: A Single Center Study / 대한수혈학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute transfusion reaction occurs during or within a few hours of transfusion with 0.5~3% of blood transfusion. Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs) and allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs) are the most common transfusion reactions. Premedication with acetaminophen and diphenhydramine has been used to prevent these reactions in 50~80% of transfusions. The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency of premedication and FNHTRs and ATRs according to premedication in Korea. METHODS: Between January 1 and 31, 2013, analysis of the first transfusion was performed retrospectively with chart review. A total of 549 cases were analyzed with regard to product of blood, care area, premedication, and FNHTRs and ATRs. RESULTS: Premedication was administered in 88.2% (484/549) of transfusions; 4 mg chlorphenamine, a well-known antihistamine, was used as premedication in all cases. Occurrence of FNHTRs was 7.7% without premedication and 3.7% with premedication. Occurrence of ATRs was 0% without premedication and 0.8% with premedication. The frequency of premedication was related to care area but not blood products. CONCLUSION: Premedication use was more frequent than previously reported. However, the sample size in this study is small; therefore, conduct of further prospective multicenter studies is needed.