Non-infectious ‘adverse events’ that can occur:

Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction (AHTR): Transfused red cells react with circulating antibodies in the recipient; the red cells are rapidly destroyed. AHTr ranges from approximately one in 12,000 to one in 33,000 red cell units transfused. fatal AHTr, however, occurs in a range from one in 600,000 to one in 800,000 units transfused.

Allergic reactions: The body’s immune system reacts to proteins or other substances in donated blood. Common symptoms include: raised, red itchy skin; swelling of hands, feet, ankles and legs; dizziness; headaches. Less common symptoms include high fever, chills and shivering.

Anaphylactic reaction: A rare but severe complication following a blood transfusion. Usually begins within one to 45 minutes after the start of transfusion. estimated to occur in one in 20,000 to one in 47,000 units of blood transfused. Bacterially contaminated blood: donations of platelets are particularly vulnerable because

they need to be stored at room temperature. symptoms can include fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, fast breathing, cold, clammy skin and confusion. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO): Common reaction resulting from a rapid or massive transfusion of blood that can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs and a rapid increase in blood pressure. Transfusion-related acute

lung injury (TRALI): A rare, life-threatening complication that usually occurs within one to two hours after transfusion starts. symptoms range from mild- to lifethreatening breathing difficulties. TrALI is believed to occur in one in 5,000 transfusions, with a case fatality rate ranging from five to 14 per cent.

Wrong blood in tube: blood is drawn from the wrong patient for cross-matching and labelled with the intended patient’s name. Sources: Public Health Agency of Canada; Canadian Blood Services; U.K. National Health Service