TRALI vs TACO
- Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury
- Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload

Feature | TRALI | TACO |
ㅤ | • M/c cause of death post blood transfusion • M/c with FFP | ㅤ |
Time interval | • Within 6 hours | • Within 12 hours |
Predisposing | • Multiparous women donors • FFP donors | • Predisposing organ failure ↳ Cardiac or renal dysfunction |
Etiopathogenesis | • Antibodies to HLA-II • Anti-neutrophilic antibodies/ • Anti-leukocyte antibodies Two-hit model ↳ Neutrophil priming in Pulm. Vasculature ↳ Activation by donor antileukocyte antibodies ↳ Pulmonary edema | • Volume overload |
Clinical Presentation | Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema Symptoms: • Fever, dyspnea Signs: • Hypoxemia, respiratory failure • Hypotension Chest x-ray: • B/L pulmonary infiltrates. D/D: • ARDS | Symptoms: • Dyspnea, cough Signs: • Evidence of circulatory overload: ↳ Hypertension ↳ Tachycardia Chest x-ray: (N). |
Neck veins | Unchanged | Distended |
Blood pressure | Hypotension | Hypertension |
Treatment | Supportive care | • O2 support • IV diuretics • Phlebotomy |
Response to diuretics | Inconsistent | Significant improvement |


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ã…¤ | Febrile Non hemolytic transfusion reactions |
Occurrence | M/c |
Within | Within 6 hours |
Mechanism | • Graft-versus-host response • Anti-WBC and anti-HLA antibodies • Cytokine accumulation in stored blood |
R/F | • Multiparous women donors • FFP donors |
Presentation | • Fever and chills • ± Mild dyspnea |
Treatment | • Antipyretics • Antihistamines • Stop transfusion if severe |
Prevention | • Use leukoreduced product |
ã…¤ | Anaphylactic | Allergic / Urticarial |
Within | Seconds to minutes | Within 2–3 hours |
Mechanism | Type I hypersensitivity | Type I hypersensitivity |
R/F | Isolated IgA deficiency | ã…¤ |
Presentation | • Shock • Respiratory distress • Angioedema | • Urticaria • Flushing • Pruritus |
Treatment | • Stop transfusion • Epinephrine | • Stop transfusion • IV fluids |
Prevention | • Use IgA-deficient plasma • Use washed RBCs | ㅤ |
ã…¤ | Acute Hemolytic | Delayed Hemolytic |
Within | Within 24h | > 24h (usually ~2 weeks) |
Mechanism | Type 2 Hypersensitivity • ABO incompatibility • Preformed IgM • Complement-mediated IVH | • Anamnestic IgG response to RBC antigens • Prior sensitization present • Extravascular hemolysis • via reticuloendothelial system |
Presentation | • Fever, chills • Flank/back pain • Sense of impending doom • Hemoglobinuria • DIC, renal failure • Coombs’ test positive • Pink plasma | • Mild fever • Hemolytic anemia • Coombs’ test positive • New antibody screening positive |
Treatment | • Stop transfusion • IV fluids aggressively | • Supportive care • May need additional transfusion |
Leucoreduction filter:

- For Febrile Non hemolytic transfusion reactions
- ↓ Febrile reactions.
- By reducing WBC number.
Other Types of Shock
Shock Type Comparison
Feature | Hypovolemic | Cardiogenic/ Obstructive (CT/ TP) | Neurogenic | Anaphylactic | Septic (Warm) | Septic (Cold) |
PR | ↑↑ | ↑/↓ | ↓ | ↑ | ↑ | ↓/↑ |
CO | ↓↓ | ↓↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↑ | ↓ |
SBP | ↓↓ | ↓↓ | ↓ | ↓↓ | ↑ | ↓ |
PVR | ↑↑ | ↑↑ | ↓↓ | ↓↓ | ↓↓ | ↑↑ |
Extremities | Cold | Cold | Warm | Warm | Warm | Cold |
JVP | ↓ | ↑ | ↓ | ↓ | (N) | ↑ |
Acidosis | ↑ | ↑ | - | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ |
Features | Class III | Pump failure (MI, heart block, arrhythmia) | Spinal cord transection (↓ sympathetic system → PR ↓↓) | Mismatched blood transfusion (allergic reaction) (↑ Histamine) | Hyperdynamic state | Heart fails in sepsis |
ã…¤ | In | Except |
PR high | All | • Neurogenic |
CO and SBP low | All | • Warm sepsis |
Acidosis | All | ã…¤ |
JVP high | • Cardiogenic • Cold sepsis | ㅤ |
MVO2 > 70% high | • Warm septic shock | ㅤ |
Note
- MVO2 > 70% :
- Percentage of oxygen that returns to the heart.
- After being utilized in the body.
- Only ↑ in warm septic shock (distributive shock)
Types of Shock - Further Classification
- Obstructive shock:
- Mechanical impairment of cardiac filling
- Examples:Â Tamponade, Pulmonary embolism
- Distributive shock:
- Blood redistributes to peripheries
- Warm Peripheries
- Mnemonic: Distribute () PVR () via NAS ()
- Examples:
- Anaphylactic
- Warm septic
- Neurogenic
Sepsis and Septic Shock
Terminologies
- Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS):
- Mediated by IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α.
- 3 or more of following criteria:
- Temperature >38°C or <36°C.
- Heart rate >90 beats/min.
- Respiratory rate >20 breaths/min or PaCO2 <32 torr (4.3 kPa)
- WBCÂ >12000 cells/mm3, <4000 cells/mm3, or >10% immature forms.
- Mnemonic: THRoW () Sir () out
- Sepsis:Â
- 2 or more SIRS criteria + known foci of infection.
- MODS (Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome):
- Failure of ≥2 organ systems.
Sepsis 3.0 Guidelines
- SIRS:
- replaced with qSOFA/SOFA.
- Severe sepsis:
- Terminology removed.
- Sepsis:
- Dysregulated host response to infection leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction.
- Septic shock:
- Sepsis leading to hypotension not responding to fluids.
- Need vasopressors & lactate >2 mmol/L.
Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA)

- qSOFA Score ≥2 + known foci of infection.
- Score of ≥2 criteria suggests a poor outcome.
Criteria:
- Hypotension (SBPÂ <100 mm Hg).
- Altered mental status.
- GCS < 15
- Tachypnoea (RR ≥22/min).
- Mnemonic:
- Sir (SIRS) → Like 20 (HR 20) year old girl
- but can bring to SOFA (qSOFA) only 22 (HR 22) year old
Revised Trauma Score (RTS):Â
- Similar to qSOFA
- Uses SBP, Respiratory Rate, GCS.
- One from each system (CVS, Resp, CNS)
- No Pulse rate
TRISS
- Mechanism of injury (blunt/penetrating).
- Age
- Revised Trauma Score (RTS)
- Injury Severity Score (ISS)
- Mnemonic: TRISSa in MARI movie ()
A 32-year-old woman is brought to the emergency room with fever and hypotension. She has rigors, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Her BP is 70/50 mmHg; SpO2, 89%; respiratory rate, 26/min; pulse, 140 bpm; and temperature, 39.5C. She opens her eyes when you ask her to do so, produces only sounds, and withdraws her leg when you stroke it with the knee hammer. What is the qSOFA score of this patient?
ANS
3
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qSOFA score for this patient would be 3. Only 3 parameters are considered for its calculation, and the respective scores are as follows:
. BP: 70/50 mmHg -> Low blood pressure (SBP≤100 mmHg) - Score 1
. Respiratory rate: 26 breaths/min - High (≥22 breaths/min) - Score 1
. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score: 9/15 - Altered mentation (GCS score, <15) - Score 1
o Opens her eyes on command -E3
o Produces only sounds-V2
o Withdraws leg when stroked with the knee hammer-M4
. Respiratory rate: 26 breaths/min - High (≥22 breaths/min) - Score 1
. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score: 9/15 - Altered mentation (GCS score, <15) - Score 1
o Opens her eyes on command -E3
o Produces only sounds-V2
o Withdraws leg when stroked with the knee hammer-M4
SOFA Score

- New definition of Sepsis
- Score of 2 ≥ with known foci
Sepsis Bundle
- Completed within 3 hours:
- Measure lactate levels.
- Best lab parameter to monitor tissue perfusion
- Obtain blood cultures.
- Give antibiotics.
- Administer IV fluids.
- Completed within 6 hours:
- Give vasopressors (maintain MAP ≥65 mmHg)
- In PAH → measure MVO2
- Remeasure lactate (if initial levels ↑)
Sepsis Six (Mnemonic: Give 3 + Take 3)
- Give 3:
- IV fluids.
- IV antibiotics.
- Oxygen.
- Take 3:
- Blood culture.
- Urine output.
- Serum lactate.
Neurogenic Shock

Hypovolemic/Hemorrhagic Shock

- M/c type of shock.
Types of Hemorrhage
- a. Overt/visible hemorrhage.
- b. Concealed/Covert hemorrhage:
- Sites:
- Neck.
- Thorax, Abdomen, Pelvis.
- Long bones.
Hemorrhage in Surgery
Type | Duration | Reason |
Primary | During Sx | - |
Reactionary | Within 24 hours | Clot dislodgment or knot slippage |
Secondary | After 7-14 days | Sloughing of wall (D/t infection) |
Classification of Hypovolemic Shock

Feature | Class I | Class II | Class III | Class IV |
Other names | - | Mild/ Compensated | Moderate/ Decompensated | Severe |
% Blood Volume Lost | 0-15% | 15-30% | 31-40% | >40% |
Amount Blood Lost | <500 cc | 500 cc – 1 litre | 1-1.5 litres | >2 litres |
Pulse Rate | Normal | ↑ (Earliest sign) | ↑↑ | Not recordable |
Blood Pressure | Normal | (N) SBP, ↑ DBP Pulse Pressure ↓↓ | ↓SBP | Not recordable |
Respiratory Rate | Normal | Normal | ↑↑ | ↑↑↑ |
Urine Output | Normal | (N) | ↓↓ | No output |
Mental Status | Normal | Thirsty & anxious | Confused | Comatose |
Base Deficit (mEq/L) | 0 | -2 to -6 Metabolic acidosis starts d/t base deficits | -6 to -10 | > -10 |
Management | Oral liquids | IV crystalloids | IV crystalloids + colloids (3:1) | Massive blood transfusion |
Management of Hypovolemic Shock
Dynamic fluid responseÂ
- After 1 litre prewarmed IV bolus
- If child < 40kg ⇒ 20 ml/kg


- Diarrhea:
- Ringer's Lactate (RL) is generally preferred.
- Vomiting:
- Normal Saline (NS) is typically preferred.
- Responder:
- PR ↓↓, SBP ↑↑, JVP ↑↑.
- Response: Sustained.
- Transient responder:
- PR ↓, SBP ↑, JVP ↑.
- Response: Reversed in 15-20 mins d/t ongoing loss.
- Non-responder:
- PR ↓↓, SBP ↓↓, JVP ↓.
- Response: Ongoing loss.
Hemorrhage resuscitation:
- Responders:
- Prioritise perfusion.
- → Perfusion targeted resuscitation.
- Ongoing losses / Transient/Non-responders:
- Prioritise coagulation.
- Damage control resuscitation.
- NOT DAMAGE CONTROL SURGERY
- 1:1:1 ⇒ PRBC, Platelet, FFP
- Monitor for coagulopathy → Rotem/TEG

Indicators (for Fluid Requirement)




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Indicator | CVP | PCWP or Occlusion Pressure |
ã…¤ | M/c used indicator | Best indicator, more accurate. |
Purpose | Right heart function | Left heart function |
Equipment | CVC – Central Venous Catheter | PAC – Pulmonary Artery Catheter (Swan-Ganz) |
Normal Values | CVP: 0 – 5 cm H₂O. | PCWP: 4 – 12 mmHg. |
Fluid Mx | ↓ CVP + ↓ BP → Give fluid ↑ CVP + ↓ BP (pump failure) → no fluid. | ↑ PCWP → LV dysfunction. |
Long-Term Use | For TPN, inotropes, cardiac drugs. | ã…¤ |
Complication | Common: Arrhythmias. | Common: Arrhythmias. Dreaded: Pulmonary capillary rupture. |
Image | • CV Catheter: Triple lumen, 7 Fr (20 cm) | Swan-Ganz catheter assembly |
Assess | Clinical marker |
Adequate fluid resuscitation in shock | • Urine output |
Cerebral perfusion | • Level of consciousness |
Gastrointestinal tract and muscle perfusion | • Lactic acidosis (+ Base deficit) • Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO₂) |
- Urine O/p
Age group | Urine o/p |
Adult | 0.5 ml/kg/hr |
Children | 1 ml/kg/hr |
Infants | 2 ml/kg/hr |
BP analogues | Formula |
Pulse pressure | • SBP - DBP |
Mean arterial pressure (MAP) | • DBP + 1/3 pulse pressure • 1/3 SBP + 2/3 DBP • Normal: 93-100 mm Hg |
Cerebral Perfusion Pressure | • MAP – intracranial pressure |
Shock Indices
- Shock Index:
- Heart rate / Systolic BP.
- >0.9 = ↑ mortality rate.
- Mnemonic: SH → HS → HR/SBP
- Modified Shock Index:
- Heart rate / Mean arterial pressure (MAP).
- Best index.
- MSI > 1.3 → Hypodynamic state
- Mnemonic: Modified MAP
- Rate over pressure evaluation (ROPE) Index:
- Pulse rate / Pulse pressure.
- >3 = decompensated haemorrhagic shock.
- Mnemonic: ROP → R/P → Rate/PP
End points of Resuscitation
- Systemic perfusion:
- Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation (MVO2):Â
- Best indicator
- Base deficit.
- Serum lactate