Transfusion associated circulatory overload (TACO): Significance of appropriate pre-transfusion risk assessment to prevent fatal health outcomes

Madam, Transfusion of blood products is a life rescuing medical intermediation; however, associated adverse transfusion reactions are major pitfalls. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) is life-threatening pulmonary oedema that develops secondary to volume overload. Underlying precipitating factors include ages >60 years or <3 years, low body mass index (BMI), rapid transfusion rate and pre-existing volume overload conditions such as heart disease, renal failure, lung disease or low albumin levels. Sign and Symptoms include dyspnoea, tachypnoea, tachycardia, hypoxia, raised jugular venous pressure, broad pulse pressure and hypertension, that appears during or either six hours posttransfusion [1]. TACO should be discriminated from transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) by high jugular venous pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure to >18mmHg, hypertension, brain natriuretic peptide levels (>1200pg/ml) and response to diuretics. Management of TACO includes immediate discontinuation of transfusion, diuretics, supplementary oxygen, and assisted ventilation if indicated [2]. Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) in 2018 reported TACO as the most typical reason for transfusion-related deaths. Over the period of 11 years (2007-2018), overall cases raised from six to one hundred and ten, including the increase in mortality from one to five and one significant morbidity from three to thirty-six cases [3]. Interestingly, timely and appropriate preventive actions can reduce this severe reaction to zero. A precise risk assessment before transfusion is recommended by SHOT for TACO elimination, especially if the patient has underlying risk factors. Preventive strategies in such predisposed patients include reviewing the need for transfusion, deferring the transfusion until issue can be resolved, transfuse according to body weight, measure fluid balance, consider prophylactic diuretic, slow transfusion rate and monitoring vital signs including oxygen saturation. Thus, TACO is a serious but avoidable transfusion reaction. Appropriate assessment prior to transfusion in every patient is important to ensure safe blood transfusion practice. Continuous...

Tubercular Pericardial Effusion Presenting as Cardiac Tamponade

Pericardial effusion is an uncommon extra-pulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis, tamponade being even rarer. Here, a 14-year female presented with cough, chest pain and fever. She had raised jugular venous pressure, hypotension, and muffled heart sound, suggestive of cardiac tamponade, confirmed by echocardiogram. She underwent pericardiocentesis with continuous pericardial fluid drainage. Her jugular venous pressure normalized after the aspiration. The high adenosine deaminase level in pericardial fluid analysis was suggestive of tuberculosis for which she was treated with antitubercular therapy and steroid. This case highlights the importance of adenosine deaminase for diagnosing the etiology of a rare presentation.Keywords: Adenosine deaminase; echocardiography; pericardial effusion; tamponade; tuberculosis

Correlation of Central with Jugular and Upper-limb Venous Pressure Measurements

Background: Correlation data of different external reference points and methods used to measure venous pressures are scarce in the literature. We correlated central venous pressure with jugular venous pressure measured from sternal angle and with jugular and upper-limb venous pressures from zero level corresponding to mid-right-atrium level. Methods: A hospital-based observational study in the medical and surgical intensive care units was conducted for period of one year.” Central venous pressure was measured from right fourth intercostal space in mid-axillary line and jugular venous pressure from sternal angle and jugular and upper-limb venous pressures from horizontal plane through the midpoint of anteroposterior line from anterior end of right fourth intercostal space to back. We measured central venous pressure by central venous cannulation and jugular and upper-limb venous pressures clinically by JVP Meter®. Upper-limb venous pressure was indicated by collapse of visible veins in dorsum of hands as the arm was slowly raised from dependent position.Results: Correlation coefficient (r) values were 0.61 between central venous pressure and jugular venous pressure from zero level, 0.48 between central venous pressure and jugular venous pressure from sternal angle, and 0.31 between central and upper-limb venous pressures; and 0.67 and 0.50 between central venous pressure measured from right internal jugular vein and jugular venous pressure from zero level and sternal angle respectively and0.52 and 0.44 between central venous pressure from right sub-clavian vein and jugular venous pressure from zero level and sternal angle respectively. Conclusions: Different correlation values indicate the need to have future investigations and consensus on the common external reference point and methods to measure venous pressures. Keywords: CVP; heart failure; JVP; JVP Meter; shock