Transfusion reactions that involve the lungs and heart cause major problems; in fact, such reactions are the most common cause of transfusion-associated death!

Image of Christine Cserti-Gazdewich TACO and TRALI interview

Dr. Christine Cserti-Gazdewich

I believe that recognizing, treating, and of course, preventing transfusion reactions, especially those involving the heart and lungs, is pretty close to the most important job that a Transfusion Medicine physician like me can do.

Why They Matter

Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) are reactions that happen more often than we would like, and they may result in significant cardiorespiratory compromise. TACO and TRALI, in fact, are the numbers 1 and 2 on the list of transfusion-related death in most countries in the world! Unfortunately for us, there is quite a bit of overlap in how these two reactions appear initially, and distinguishing between them can be tough. This interview seeks to outline clinical, radiologic, and laboratory criteria for diagnosis of both TACO and TRALI (focusing mostly on TACO), so that you can better identify, manage, and prevent these dangerous reactions.

Image of Christine Cserti-Gazdewich TACO and TRALI interview

Dr. Christine Cserti-Gazdewich

I believe that recognizing, treating, and of course, preventing transfusion reactions, especially those involving the heart and lungs, is pretty close to the most important job that a Transfusion Medicine physician like me can do.

Why They Matter

Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) are reactions that happen more often than we would like, and they may result in significant cardiorespiratory compromise. TACO and TRALI, in fact, are the numbers 1 and 2 on the list of transfusion-related death in most countries in the world! Unfortunately for us, there is quite a bit of overlap in how these two reactions appear initially, and distinguishing between them can be tough. This interview seeks to outline clinical, radiologic, and laboratory criteria for diagnosis of both TACO and TRALI (focusing mostly on TACO), so that you can better identify, manage, and prevent these dangerous reactions.

TACO and TRALI podcast man in bed with oxygen

About My Guest:

Christine Cserti-Gazdewich is a transfusion medicine specialist and consultant hematologist, originally trained in internal medicine and clinical hematology in Toronto, with fellowship training in transfusion medicine at Harvard. Based at the University Health Network for 14 years, she co-directs a large blood transfusion service through several teaching hospitals of the University of Toronto, with oversight responsibilities to a number of community/rural client sites across the province too. Her chief interests in practice, leadership, and research are in immunohematology, hemovigilance, and complex/constrained hemotherapy scenarios.

Continuing Education Expired

This podcast episode offered continuing education credit for two years from its release date, but is no longer eligible for such credit.

To find Blood Bank Guy Essentials Podcast episodes with active continuing education opportunities, Click here or visit Transfusion News Continuing Education on Wiley Health Learning.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed on this episode are those of my guest and I alone, and do not reflect those of the organizations with which either of us is affiliated. Neither Dr. Cserti-Gazdewich nor I have any relevant financial disclosures.

The images below are generously provided by Dr. Cserti-Gazdewich.

Slide 1: New diagnostic criteria for TACO
Slide 2: Risk factors for TACO ("CRAP")
Slide 3: New diagnostic criteria for TRALI
Slide 4: Dr. Cserti-Gazdewich's guide to diagnosing cardiopulmonary reactions

Further Reading:

Thanks to:

Music Credit

Music for this episode includes “Cuando te invade el temor” and “Reflejo,” both by Mar Virtual via the Free Music Archive. Click the image below for permissions and license details.
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