Transfusion-related acute lung injury. A case report

A transfusion-related acute lung injury (Trali) is a noncardiogenic lung oedema occurring within six hours following the infusion of a blood component. It is a under-recognized transfusional accident, for which the aetiology and physiopathology are still controversial, evoking immunological or nonimmunological mechanisms which do not seem sufficient per se to cause this accident. A predisposing condition, associated with leucostasis in pulmonary vessels, is required. The pulmonary lesion is due to the activation of neutrophils in contact with endothelial cells of lung micro-capillary vessels. We report a case of Trali following the transfusion of the first red blood cells unit to a 26-year-old young woman. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.