A retrospective observational study to assess adverse transfusion reactions of patients with and without prior transfusion history.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]