Complications due to transfusion-related acute lung injury.
BACKGROUND
Transfusion-related acute lung injury is an underdiagnosed and potentially lethal complication of blood transfusion.


METHODS
A patient underwent surgery because of an ectopic pregnancy. During surgery, blood products were administered and within minutes she developed pulmonary edema and hypotension. Treatment included mechanical ventilation, intravenous fluids, antihistamines, inotropic agents, cortisol, and diuretics. It took 4 days for the pulmonary edema to resolve and the patient to recover. Analysis of the donor plasma revealed human leukocyte antigen antibodies against an antigen of the patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Although transfusion-related acute lung injury is usually self-limiting and most patients will recover spontaneously, the estimated mortality rate of 5-25% warrants prompt identification and adequate action.
Droog
W
W
From the Department of Gynecology, Bronovo Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine, LUMC, Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands; and the Department of Intensive Care, Reinier de Graaf Hospital, Delft, the Netherlands.
van Thiel
S W
SW
Visser
S J Sleeswijk
SJS
Rhemrev
J P T
JPT
D055371:Acute Lung Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000601:surgery*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D006680:HLA Antigens; D007518:Isoantibodies