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Hemolytic transfusion reaction

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) are severe adverse events characterized by the destruction of transfused red blood cells by host antibodies, leading to acute hemolysis, potentially causing hemodynamic instability, organ dysfunction, and mortality 15.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Fever, chills, hypotension, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, and signs of acute hemolysis 15.
  • Laboratory Tests: Elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), decreased haptoglobin, elevated indirect bilirubin, and positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) 15.
  • Crossmatch Analysis: Review pre- and post-transfusion samples for unexpected antibodies 15.
  • Imaging and Monitoring: Consider imaging for organ dysfunction and continuous monitoring of vital signs 19.
  • Management

  • Immediate Actions: Stop transfusion, initiate massive transfusion protocol, and administer intravenous fluids for volume replacement 15.
  • Supportive Care: Oxygen therapy, inotropic support for hypotension, and management of acute kidney injury 15.
  • Immunosuppressive Therapy: Corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone) to reduce immune response 15.
  • Plasmapheresis: Consider for severe cases to remove antibodies and inflammatory mediators 15.
  • Monitoring: Frequent monitoring of hemoglobin levels, electrolytes, and organ function 15.
  • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: HTRs can complicate obstetric care; heightened vigilance required due to potential fetal risks 15.
  • Elderly: Increased susceptibility to complications; careful monitoring of organ function and hemodynamic stability 19.
  • Comorbidities: Patients with pre-existing liver failure may have exacerbated outcomes; close surveillance essential 15.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Rapid Identification and Stopping Transfusion: Immediately halt transfusion upon suspicion of HTR to minimize hemolysis 15 (Evidence: Strong).
  • Initiate Supportive Measures: Implement aggressive fluid resuscitation and hemodynamic support to manage acute shock 15 (Evidence: Strong).
  • Use Corticosteroids for Immune Modulation: Administer corticosteroids to mitigate the immune response 15 (Evidence: Moderate).
  • Consider Plasmapheresis in Severe Cases: Employ plasmapheresis for severe reactions to remove harmful antibodies and mediators 15 (Evidence: Weak).
  • Enhanced Monitoring in Vulnerable Populations: Increase vigilance and monitoring frequency in elderly and those with comorbidities 19 (Evidence: Expert opinion).
  • References

    1 Zhang T, Hu Y, Tang C, Yang C. Current trends and future artificial intelligence applications in transfusion medicine: a bibliometric analysis. Expert review of hematology 2026. link 2 Raza S, Goel R, Erikstrup C, D'Alessandro A, Custer B, Li N. Harnessing big data and artificial intelligence in transfusion medicine: Opportunities for precision, safety and efficiency. Vox sanguinis 2026. link 3 Smit Sibinga CT. Quality in transfusion medicine: How to master and sustain. Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis 2025. link 4 Pereira P, Luig F, Seghatchian J. Spotlights on novel strategic innovations on the artificial intelligence and deep learning driven quality control focuses in transfusion medicine, to optimize blood component safety and efficacy and minimize the potential pitfalls. Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis 2025. link 5 Vuk T. The future of quality management in transfusion medicine - From the new SoHO regulation and beyond. Transfusion clinique et biologique : journal de la Societe francaise de transfusion sanguine 2025. link 6 Pereira P. A non-parametric framework for evaluating total analytical error in in vitro diagnostic medical devices in transfusion medicine. Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis 2024. link 7 Pereira P, Seghatchian J. Spotlights on the trends in performance assessment of qualitative in vitro diagnostic medical devices in transfusion medicine. Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis 2024. link 8 Vuk T, Politis C, de Angelis V, Lozano M, Haddad A, Laspina S et al.. Education in transfusion medicine, Part III - The importance of haemovigilance education. Transfusion clinique et biologique : journal de la Societe francaise de transfusion sanguine 2023. link 9 Mykhailova O, Seghatchian J, Acker JP. Assessment of extracellular vesicles using IFC for application in transfusion medicine. Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis 2020. link 10 Cohn CS, Allen ES, Cushing MM, Dunbar NM, Friedman DF, Goel R et al.. Critical developments of 2018: A review of the literature from selected topics in transfusion. A committee report from the AABB's Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee. Transfusion 2019. link 11 Yurkovich JT, Bordbar A, Sigurjónsson ÓE, Palsson BO. Systems biology as an emerging paradigm in transfusion medicine. BMC systems biology 2018. link 12 Wheeler MM, Johnsen JM. The role of genomics in transfusion medicine. Current opinion in hematology 2018. link 13 Cushing MM, Kelley J, Klapper E, Friedman DF, Goel R, Heddle NM et al.. Critical developments of 2017: a review of the literature from selected topics in transfusion. A committee report from the AABB Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee. Transfusion 2018. link 14 Deleuran I, Sheikh ZA, Hoeyer K. Tainted blood: Probing safety practices in the Danish blood system. Health (London, England : 1997) 2015. link 15 Bennett A, Boyapati RK, Hong FS. Suspected acute hemolytic transfusion reaction mediated by anti-Di(a). Immunohematology 2015. link 16 Denomme GA, Flegel WA. Applying molecular immunohematology discoveries to standards of practice in blood banks: now is the time. Transfusion 2008. link 17 Silberstein LE, Toy P. Research opportunities in transfusion medicine. JAMA 2001. link 18 Brooks JP, Combest TG. In-service training with videotape is useful in teaching transfusion medicine principles. Transfusion 1996. link 19 Soper DE. Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction: a cause of late postoperative fever. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 1985. link90121-8)

    Original source

    1. [1]
    2. [2]
      Harnessing big data and artificial intelligence in transfusion medicine: Opportunities for precision, safety and efficiency.Raza S, Goel R, Erikstrup C, D'Alessandro A, Custer B, Li N Vox sanguinis (2026)
    3. [3]
      Quality in transfusion medicine: How to master and sustain.Smit Sibinga CT Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis (2025)
    4. [4]
      Spotlights on novel strategic innovations on the artificial intelligence and deep learning driven quality control focuses in transfusion medicine, to optimize blood component safety and efficacy and minimize the potential pitfalls.Pereira P, Luig F, Seghatchian J Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis (2025)
    5. [5]
      The future of quality management in transfusion medicine - From the new SoHO regulation and beyond.Vuk T Transfusion clinique et biologique : journal de la Societe francaise de transfusion sanguine (2025)
    6. [6]
      A non-parametric framework for evaluating total analytical error in in vitro diagnostic medical devices in transfusion medicine.Pereira P Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis (2024)
    7. [7]
      Spotlights on the trends in performance assessment of qualitative in vitro diagnostic medical devices in transfusion medicine.Pereira P, Seghatchian J Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis (2024)
    8. [8]
      Education in transfusion medicine, Part III - The importance of haemovigilance education.Vuk T, Politis C, de Angelis V, Lozano M, Haddad A, Laspina S et al. Transfusion clinique et biologique : journal de la Societe francaise de transfusion sanguine (2023)
    9. [9]
      Assessment of extracellular vesicles using IFC for application in transfusion medicine.Mykhailova O, Seghatchian J, Acker JP Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis (2020)
    10. [10]
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      Systems biology as an emerging paradigm in transfusion medicine.Yurkovich JT, Bordbar A, Sigurjónsson ÓE, Palsson BO BMC systems biology (2018)
    12. [12]
      The role of genomics in transfusion medicine.Wheeler MM, Johnsen JM Current opinion in hematology (2018)
    13. [13]
    14. [14]
      Tainted blood: Probing safety practices in the Danish blood system.Deleuran I, Sheikh ZA, Hoeyer K Health (London, England : 1997) (2015)
    15. [15]
      Suspected acute hemolytic transfusion reaction mediated by anti-Di(a).Bennett A, Boyapati RK, Hong FS Immunohematology (2015)
    16. [16]
    17. [17]
      Research opportunities in transfusion medicine.Silberstein LE, Toy P JAMA (2001)
    18. [18]
    19. [19]
      Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction: a cause of late postoperative fever.Soper DE American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (1985)

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