Patterns of Adverse Transfusion Reactions in a Tertiary Care Centre of Rural Bengaluru, South India: A Step Towards Hemovigilance

Abstract

Background: "Blood transfusion is like marriage: it should not be entered upon lightly, unadvisedly or wantonly or more often than is absolutely necessary." This statement from Robert Beal clearly indicates the necessity and potential risk of blood transfusion and thus the importance of "Hemovigilance". Aims & Objectives: The study was done to collect and analyse the frequency and nature of the transfusion reactions reported at a tertiary care hospital in Rural Bengaluru, Karnataka. Materials & Methods: A retrospective review of all transfusion reactions reported to the blood bank at the Transfusion Medicine department between April 2012 and December 2017 was done. All transfusion reactions were evaluated by the blood centre and classified under standard definitions. Results: During the study period, 10114 units were transfused. Out of these 72 (0.71%) cases of post transfusion reactions were reported. Most of our patients reported with transfusion reactions were young adults in the age group of 21-30 years. The most commonly encountered type of reaction was Febrile Non Hemolytic transfusion reaction (FNHTR) in 28 cases. Grade III reactions were reported in 5 cases, Transfusion associated Cardiac Overload (TACO) (3 cases) & anaphylaxis (2 cases). Conclusion: Transfusion reactions encountered in our study varied from innocuous ones like FNHTR to life threatening anaphylactic reactions. This underlines the need for constant monitoring and strict implementation of standard protocols for transfusion of blood and blood products. Our study also highlights the need for pre transfusion counselling and assurance to reduce anxiety among individuals undergoing transfusion.