Question

Besides red blood cells state another blood component which may cause an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction.

What is the status for working up any suspected transfusion reaction?

Answer 1

Acute haemolytic transfusion reaction is a body reaction to the transfused blood mostly commonly caused by blood incompatibility. The body produces antibodies against the transfused blood cells and its components leading to fever, chills, chest pain, difficulty breathing, hypotension and shock. It is life threatening condition that needs immediate treatment.

In acute haemolytic transfusion reaction the antibodies produced attack the RBC and cause its haemolysis. The other important component of blood that gets activated during acute haemolytic transfusion reaction is coagulation factors. Activation of coagulation cascade cause disseminated disseminated intravascular coagulation leading to intra vascular clot formation. Activation of WBC results in cytokine release leading to inflammatory response.