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Open Access Case Report

Fatal transfusion related acute lung injury following coronary artery by-pass surgery: a case report

Fauzia A Bawany and Hasanat Sharif*

Author Affiliations

Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan

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Cases Journal 2008, 1:372 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-372

Published: 3 December 2008

Abstract

Background

Transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a potentially fatal Acute Lung Injury following transfusion of blood components. Hypotheses implicate donor-derived anti-human leukocyte antigen or granulocyte antibodies reacting with recipients' leukocytes, releasing inflammatory mediators. Lack of agreement on underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms renders improving transfusion safety difficult and expensive.

Case Presentation

Literature search has not revealed any case of TRALI from Pakistan. We report the case of fatal TRALI in a 68 year old male who received blood products after coronary artery by-pass surgery.

Conclusion

This article aims to create awareness about this complication and suggests that post transfusion cardiopulmonary instability should alert to the possibility of TRALI.