[Transfusion- and infusion-related iatrogenesis]

Posttransfusion and postinfusion side effects and complications resulting occasionally in lethal outcomes are still available in clinical practice in spite of apparent safety and high efficiency of blood transfusions and infusions. These may be caused by the donor-recipient erythrocytic incompatibility, poor quality of the transfusion medium, disregard of contraindications to transfusion. Pathologic features of complications emerging in response to transfusion of incompatible blood or its substitutes are indicated as well as morphologic characteristics specific for posttransfusion shock and consequent acute hepatorenal insufficiency. For the substitutes there are occasional observations of the shock similar in its development to an anaphylactic one. Wide introduction of transfusion and infusion therapy into clinical practice dictates the necessity of adequate evaluation of the above therapy role in combined treatment of varying-type patients, in thanatogenesis basing on the initial patient status and previous treatment.