Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)
Definition
Acute dyspnoea and pulmonary infiltrates developing within 6 hours of transfusion, in the absence of circulatory overload or other causes.
May be due to antibodies in the donor which react against recipient white blood cells.
Frequency
Very rare (<1 in 10,000).
Most cases reported are in patients already unwell with a pre-existing inflammatory insult (e.g. sepsis, trauma).
Reducing the risk
As anti-leucocyte antibodies are most likely to form following pregnancy, plasma components (FFP, cryoprecipitate) in the UK are only sourced from male donors.
Female platelet donors are screened for these antibodies.
Further information and resources
- NHSBT clinical guidelines – see TRALI information sheet
Information:
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