[The effect of leukocyte-reduction on the transfusion reactions to red blood cells concentrates].
METHODS
In order to assess the impact of leukocyte reduction, all transfusion reactions reported at Liege Teaching Hospital's Blood Bank 2 years before and after the implementation of universal leukocyte reduction of red blood cells concentrates which started-up on 1 January 2005 were evaluated.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of transfusion reactions from 1 January 2003 to 31st December 2006 was undertaken. Data were collected from computerized reports, which were entered as soon as a transfusion reaction was reported. Symptoms were classified in different reaction's categories. Blood cultures, antibody screening and direct antiglobulin test were performed. Differences between the two time periods, before (2003-2004) and after (2005-2006) universal leukoreduction were determined by the Chi-square test and significance was defined as a p value less than 0.05.


RESULTS
During period before the implementation of systematic leukoreduction, 68.7% of red blood cells transfused were leukoreduced. A total of 365 transfusion reactions in 91,996 red blood cells units transfused (0.4%) were reported, of which 266 were classified as febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions (72.9%), followed by allergic reactions (7.1%) and miscellaneous reactions (3.8%). When comparing the two-time periods, the rate of all transfusion reactions in general significantly decreased from 0.49 to 0.31% (p<0.001). Therefore, universal leukocyte reduction significantly reduced the rates of febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions (0.35% versus 0.24%; p=0.002) and allergic reactions (0.05% versus 0.01%; p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Universal leukocyte reduction significantly reduced the rate of transfusion reactions.
Mukagatare
I
I
Service d'immunohématologie, banque de sang, CHU Sart-Tilman, université de Liège, avenue de l'Hôpital, Liège, Belgique.
Monfort
M
M
de Marchin
J
J
Gerard
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007223:Infant; D047589:Leukocyte Reduction Procedures; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult