Noninfectious Complications of Blood Transfusion in the South of Kerman Province: A 4-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Although today, transfusion therapy has turned from a hazardous condition to a relatively safe method with the improvement of technology, the highest risk for the patient is a complication of blood transfusions. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of transfusion-related adverse events. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective review which examined data of all those who received blood transfusions at Kashani and Imam Khomeini hospitals of the south of Kerman province from 2014 to 2018 years. Results: Of the total 16081 blood transfusions, 148 (0.92%) cases of blood complications were observed. Most cases occurred in males aged 31-40 and over 50 years, O blood group, injection packed red blood cell (PRBC) product, and within 20-60 minutes. Most of the transfusion-related complications were related to the surgery ward and in patients without underlying disease, and most complications included fever and chills. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that the highest transfusion-related complications were fever and chills. Therefore, fever and chills in the early hours of transfusion should be considered as the most common transfusion-related complications.