CompLications of Transfusion

Blood transfusion by replacing coagulation factors, platelets, and/or red blood cells, can be a Life-saving intervention for individuals with blood loss or impaired production. However, this practice is not without risks, and a myriad of adverse events, including noninfectious and infectious compLications, can occur during or following a blood transfusion. During the last 100 years, lessons learned about immunohematology, immune-mediated reactions, and transfusion-transmitted infections have led to the development of testing strategies and the design of cLinical practices that have made the use of blood products extremely safe. This article summarizes the history of transfusion medicine, describes the current knowledge about the pathophysiology of noninfectious transfusion reactions, provides epidemiologic data about infectious disease risks associated with transfusion, and describes the screening process of blood donation.