Transfusion Services

RISKS OF TRANSFUSION

Infectious Risks

Risk per Unit Transfused

HIV-Human Immunodeficiency Virus

1 in 2,300,000

HCV-Hepatitis C Virus

1 in 1,800,000

HBV-Hepatitis B Virus

1 in 220,000

Sepsis/Death

1 in 1,000,000

HTLV-Human T-lymphotropic Virus

1 in 3,000,000

Other Infections (Protozoa, Ricketsia)

< 1 in 1,000,000

Non-infectious Risks

Incidence

Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

0.016%

Febrile, Non-Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

0.1 – 1.0%

Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

1 in 2,500 – 11,000

Allergic Reaction-hives, rash, itching

1 – 3%

Anaphylactic Reaction

1 in 20,000 – 50,000

Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury - TRALI

1 in 5,000 – 190,000

Mis-Transfusion (failure to give the right product to the right patient at the right time for the right reason)

1 in 6,000 – 20,000

Transfusion Associated Graft vs. Host Disease-TAGVD

Rare

Circulatory Overload/Cardiac Toxicity

<1%

References:

Technical Manual, Current Edition, Bethesda MD, AABB