Transfusion-associated circulatory overload: the plot thickens

摘要

Physicians have known for decades that transfusion is a risk factor for fluid overload-cardiogenic pulmonary edema but the perception was that compared to other complications, transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) was unimportant. We now know otherwise. TACO was "rediscovered" once transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) was placed on the transfusionists' map. As TRALI gained acceptance for its morbidity and frequency, TACO was increasingly identified as the "other" pulmonary complication. What was viewed as simply an outcome of too much blood given too quickly is now understood to be a more subtle problem that can be difficult to diagnose