Background and objectives: This study compares the frequency of adverse transfusion reactions (ATRs) after first transfusions with the frequency of ATRs for subsequent (non-first) transfusions.
Materials and methods: Five hospitals agreed to systematically collect and share 2 years of data. This was a retrospective observational analysis of data including the number of transfusion episodes and ATRs for red blood cells (RBCs), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelet concentrates (PCs) given to first-time transfusion recipients and to those previously transfused.
Results: First transfusion ATRs to RBCs, FFP and PCs were 1.08%, 2.84% and 3.34%, respectively. These are higher than ATR incidences to RBCs (0.69%), FFP (1.91%) and PCs (2.75%) on subsequent transfusions. Specifically, first transfusion incidences of febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs) to RBCs (0.43%) and allergic reactions to FFP (2.51%) were higher than on subsequent transfusions (RBCs: 0.23%, FFP: 1.65%).
Conclusion: There are risks of ATRs on the first transfusion as well as transfusions of patients with transfusion history.
Keywords: adverse transfusion reaction; allergic reaction; first transfusion; haemovigilance; transfusion episode.
© 2014 International Society of Blood Transfusion.