Clinical Presentation - Acute Non-Immune Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions

Signs and symptoms usually appear during the transfusion or within 24 hours of transfusion. Transfusing hemolysed red cells may result in hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria but usually not the other symptoms associated with immune-mediated AHTR.

However, there are rare reports of life-threatening reactions with hypotension and renal failure occurring.

Mechanism

Transfusion of hemolysed red cells results in hemoglobinuria. Lysed red cells may also lead to release of vasoactive or thrombogenic substances.