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

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.