TRALI in the perioperative period

Abstract

TRALI in the perioperative period Mohamed Adnane Berdai, Smael Labib, Mustapha HarandouChild and Mother Intensive Care Unit, University Hospital Hassan II, Fes, MoroccoBackground: Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is one of the leading causes of transfusion-related morbidity and mortality. Although it is a serious complication of blood transfusion, it is still underestimated because of underrecognition and misdiagnosis, which can lead to inappropriate management.Case report: We report the case of a 34-year-old female, who presented with hemorrhagic shock during cesarean section and was transfused with packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. Three hours after the end of transfusion, while still intubated, the patient developed acute respiratory failure, with diffuse crackles at auscultation and bilateral lung infiltrations on chest radiography. The ratio of the arterial partial pressure of O2 and the fraction of inspired O2 (PaO2/FiO2) was 51. The diagnosis of TRALI was made after excluding other possible causes of acute lung injury. She was managed symptomatically with ventilatory support and vasopressors. The patient later died secondary to multiple organ failure.Conclusion: The diagnosis of TRALI relies on the exclusion of other causes of acute pulmonary edema following transfusion. All plasma-containing blood products have been involved in the genesis of this syndrome. This is a relatively common and serious adverse transfusion reaction that requires prompt diagnosis and management. Challenges are ahead as preventive strategies have reduced but not eliminated the onset of TRALI.Keywords: acute lung injury, transfusion related acute lung injury, anti-human leukocyte antigen antibody, pulmonary edema, transfusion accident