Blood transfusion a bless or curse-a single institution retrospective study

ABSTRACT

Background: An adverse blood transfusion reaction (ABTR) is an unfavorable, unwanted reaction to the transfused unit. It may be acute or delayed , immune or non immune and infections . Materials and methods A study was conducted to detect the frequency of various ABTRs (both immunologic and &infections) and associated morbidity in a surgical oncology tertiary care centre for the past 2 years. Results: A total 7823 units of blood and blood components was issued for entire hospital, out of these 1120 units of blood and blood products was transfused in surgical oncology department over a period of two years. In these transfusions one patient(0.89%) was developed ABTR for that transfusion immediately stopped. A total 30patients (2.67%) developed minor transfusion related reaction that was managed with antihistamine and steroids. The most common adverse event was allergic reactions –20/30(66.6%) followed by feile episodes – 10/30(33.3%). We noticed that out of 27 recently positive hepatitis virus patients 7 patients had previous blood transfusion history. Within the 7 patients 6 patients also received chemotherapy and 1 patient had previous history of surgery. Conclusion: The most common adverse reactions to blood transfusions reported here are allergic reactions and feile episodes. Clerical error is the commonest cause for mismatch transfusion. Hepatitis B&C virus may be transmitted during window period. It can be prevented by using nucleic acid tests (NAT) as screening tests to prevent window period transmission.