Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia: emergency blood transfusion

A 50-year-old woman, with a background of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, presented to the emergency department with lethargy and shortness of breath. Investigations revealed a haemoglobin level of 50 g/L. High dose steroids were administered and blood transfusion prescribed. However, the blood transfusion was delayed due to a positive antibody screen and concerns regarding administering blood when the patient was pyrexic. The delay resulted in a significant deterioration in the patient's clinical state with her haemoglobin level falling to 26 g/L 24 hours later. She was urgently transfused with blood and made a full recovery. This report analyses the delays for transfusion and how these could have been minimised. First, guidelines advise that emergency blood should be considered in life-threatening circumstances. Second, fever is not always a contraindication for transfusion, particularly in an emergency setting.