Background and objectives: Respiratory transfusion reactions associate strongly with morbidity and mortality, and transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) is the leading cause of reaction-related deaths. Risk factors for TACO include transfusion speed and volume and cardiorenal comorbidities.
Materials and methods: An academic health network haemovigilance database was interrogated to assess variables associating with 371 cases of TACO and involved-visit outcomes, using univariate and multivariate regression analysis.
Results: TACO reactions over 11 years were reported in 179 males and 192 females, median age (interquartile range) 65 (53-75) years. In-hospital and 28-day mortality were 17.5% and 12.9%, respectively. In univariate regression modelling, male sex, injury severity grade, product volume administered, the use of platelets and intensive care admissions were each associated with in-hospital and 28-day mortality (p < 0.05). However, after multivariate regression analysis, only male sex in transfusion recipients independently associated with mortality (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: In this cohort, male recipient sex and platelet administration were associated with TACO-involving admissions not ending in survival.
Keywords: ICU; death; mortality; platelets; sex; transfusion‐associated circulatory overload.
© 2024 International Society of Blood Transfusion.