Blood transfusion as a cause of leucocytosis in critically ill patients.
The diagnosis of infection in the intensive care unit is confounded by the presence of non-infectious causes of leucocytosis. Unless such causes are recognised, time and effort will be spent on unnecessary investigations and treatments. In a prospective study we have shown that the transfusion of blood frequently (45/50 patients) causes an acute leucocytosis in such patients. This effect was not seen in 8 patients who received plasma. Blood transfusion should be added to the list of non-infectious causes of leucocytosis in the critically ill.
Fenwick
J C
JC
Program of Critical Care Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Cameron
M
M
Naiman
S C
SC
Haley
L P
LP
Ronco
J J
JJ
Wiggs
B R
BR
Tweeddale
M G
MG
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065227:Transfusion Reaction