Epidemiology of transfusion related acute lung injury in France: Preliminary results

Abstract

The French Hemovigilance Network has been established in 1994 and records all adverse events associated with the transfusion of a labile blood products (LBP) regardless of their severity. From 1994 to 2006 35,423,172 LBP were issued, 85,812 adverse transfusion reactions notified, and 139 cases of transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) observed. The LBP most at risk is fresh frozen plasma (FFP), followed by platelets concentrates (PC) and packed red cells (PRC). However, because the use of FFP is not frequent in France, it only accounts for about 10% of TRALI, whereas PRC and PC are involved in the remaining cases. In no case, pooled FFP treated with solvent-detergent were involved. Patients' profiles are peculiar with a high disease burden. Therefore, targeting a prevention policy only on FFP would result in a marginal reduction of TRALI in France. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.