A 28 yr old male was involved in a motor vehicle accident; his motorcycle hit a

Question

A 28 yr old male was involved in a motor vehicle accident; his motorcycle hit a median divider, and he was brought to the ER. Initial laboratory values are within normal limits. CT scan shows no evidence of liver or spleen laceration. One liter of Ringer's lactate is infused along with two units of blood. While en route back to the ER from the X-ray facility, the patient complains of chills,chest pain,and flank pain. Vital signs are significant for hypotension and tachycardia. Blood work is significant for anemia. What is the most likely cause for his hypotension and tachycardia? What is the best course of action for this patient?

Explanation / Answer

During blood transfusion, if a person with “blood group A” is transferred with “blood group B,” the person’s immune system recognises the antigen B as a foreign cell and releases antibodies B. This immune response is called “heme-agglutination,” which form clumps along the blood vessels that block the pathway, triggers urticaria, hypotension, chills and eventually leading to death in some cases.

In this case the cause of chills, hypotension and tachycardia is may be "blood transfucion reaction."

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