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How can a blood transfusion cause transfusion-related acute lung injury?
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blood transfusion
Depiction of a direct blood transfusion performed in 1882.
Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious complication of blood transfusion that leads to severe pulmonary edema. While the exact etiology of this condition is not fully understood, it is believed to result from an immune reaction where leukocyte antibodies present in the donor's blood attack the recipient's own leukocytes.1
Because TRALI can be life-threatening, it requires immediate respiratory support for the patient. It is one of several potential immunologic reactions that can occur during transfusion therapy, highlighting the importance of careful screening and the reduction of unnecessary transfusions to ensure patient safety.1