Transfusion Associated Dyspnea Profiling

Transfusion reactions are defined as harms occurring during or after blood transfusion, with new heart/lung stress (eg. troubled breathing) regarded as cardiorespiratory transfusion reactions (CRTRs). CRTRs are among the most important, as the leading cause of transfusion-related harm and death. Though there are distinct classifications for these events, real life cases often don't fall neatly into a given category, with outliers regarded as "transfusion associated dyspnea (TAD)". It is unknown what TAD is -- whether it has a unique root cause, is a milder version of other known CRTRs, or is a blend of events. The purpose of this study is to better understand TAD and CRTRs by profiling them through a detailed medical history and more intensive laboratory assessment. This review of CRTRs may improve the quality/validity of final conclusions reported in the health record and to hemovigilance bodies, and uncover the nature of TAD and/or minimize CRTRs defaulting to the TAD category. Our enhanced understanding will advance diagnostic, treatment, and prevention efforts.