Transfusion-related acute lung injury

Last revised by Yaïr Glick on 18 Mar 2023

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is defined as non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema temporally related to transfusion therapy. 

It tends to occur within 6 hours after a blood transfusion and requires exclusion of other alternative diagnoses such as sepsis or volume overload. 

Shows features of pulmonary edema which can progress to alveolar and interstitial infiltrates. The lung opacities usually clear within 96 hours in 80% of patients.

It tends to be self-limiting and treatment is supportive, with a prognosis substantially better than most causes of clinical acute lung injury. 

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads