Association of Massive Transfusion for Resuscitation in Gastrointestinal Bleeding with Transfusion-related Acute Lung Injury

BACKGROUND AND AIMS This study aimed to understand the use of massive transfusion (MT) for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to our medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with GIB for the type of bleeding, quantity of blood products transfused, and risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and death. MT was defined as transfusion of 10 or more units of red blood cell (RBC) within a 24-h period in a 1-unit RBC: 1-unit fresh frozen plasma: and 1-unit platelet ratio. TRALI was defined as development of acute lung injury (ALI), within 6 h of transfusion, with new bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, absence of circulatory overload, or other explanation for ALI. RESULTS In a 43-month interval, 169 patients were admitted to the ICU with GIB and received blood products, of whom 13 received MT. Ten patients developed TRALI, of whom 7 (70%) had received MT. MT was associated with an increased risk of TRALI (odds ratio [OR]: 17.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9-111.2, P = 0.002) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, baseline vitals, and laboratory data. Death was predicted by MT (OR: 5.6, 95% CI: 1.6-19.7, P = 0.007), TRALI (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1-4.6, P = 0.02), and Acute Physiologic Chronic Health Evaluation II score (OR: 1.17 per unit increase, 95% CI: 1.09-1.26, P < 0.001) after adjusting for age and sex. CONCLUSIONS MT for GIB is associated with an increased risk of TRALI and death. Prospective studies assessing the use of MT in this population are needed to understand and improve outcomes.