Randomized double-blinded clinical trial on acute transfusion reactions in dogs receiving leukoreduced versus nonleukoreduced packed red blood cells

Evaluation of leukocyte depletion of packed red blood cell units and impact on clinically observed transfusion reactions

Introduction

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether there is an association between leukoreduction of packed red blood cell (pRBC) units and reduction of clinically observed transfusion reactions (TR), particularly febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTR), and better outcomes in dogs. Secondary aims were to evaluate the effects of other factors suspected to influence transfusion reaction frequency or survival, including crossmatching, use of immunosuppressive drugs, and age and number of the blood products being administered.

Materials and methods

Medical data on dogs transfused with leukocyte-reduced (LR) and non-leukocyte-reduced (N-LR) pRBC units at the Animal Hospital Zürich, University of Zürich, Switzerland between January 1, 2007, and December 17, 2018 were searched. Before 2014, only N-LR blood were transfused. After 2014, both LR and N-LR blood were available.

Results

A total of 339 canine patients were transfused with 413 pRBC units; 30.5% (126/413) were LR units and 69.5% (287/413) were N-LR. Data collected from medical records was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. In the present study, TR occurred in 19.8% of pRBC units (25/126) with LR and in 17.7% (51/287) of pRBC with N-LR; p > 0.05. FNHTR occurred in 6.3% of pRBC units (8/126) with LR and in 4.5% (13/287) of those with N-LR; p > 0.05. There was no correlation between the occurrence of TR and discharge from hospital (p > 0.05). Crossmatching, immunosuppressive therapy, and age of the blood product were not associated with the frequency of TR; p > 0.05 for all. The duration of survival days was not related to the number of transfusions dogs received.

Discussion

In the present study, the leukocyte-depletion of transfused pRBC units was not associated with fewer TR nor to fewer FNHTR compared to N-LR units. Discharge of dogs from hospital was not dependent on the occurrence of TR.

Randomized double-blinded clinical trial on acute transfusion reactions in dogs receiving leukoreduced versus nonleukoreduced packed red blood cells

Background

Leukoreduction of blood products is commonly performed in human medicine, but its effect on outcome or incidence of transfusion reactions (TRs) in dogs is unknown.

Objectives

To prospectively evaluate the incidence of acute TRs in, and the outcome of, dogs receiving either leukoreduced (LR) or nonleukoreduced (N‐LR) packed red blood cells (PRBC).

Animals

Dogs (n = 194) administered PRBC between August 2017 and June 2020.

Methods

Prospective randomized double‐blinded clinical trial. Dogs were randomized to receive either LR or N‐LR PRBC and clinicians, nurses and investigators were blinded to the group allocations. The incidence of TRs, change in PCV, hospitalization duration, and survival to discharge were recorded.

Results

Out of the 194 dogs, 96 received LR and 98 received N‐LR PRBCs. The mean 12‐hour change in PCV value was +9.22% (SD 5.27%) for dogs that received N‐LR and +10.69% (SD 6.44%) for dogs that received LR PRBC (effect size 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.02 to 0.55), which was not significantly different (P = .08). TRs were documented in 16/194 (8.24%) dogs, with 1/194 (0.51%) being a mild allergic reaction, while 15/194 (7.73%) had suspected febrile nonhemolytic TRs (FNHTRs). FNHTR incidence was not significantly different between the LR (6/96, 6.25%, 95% CI 2.8‐13.56) and N‐LR (9/98, 9.18%, 95% CI 4.92‐17.11) groups (P = .81). Of the 156 dogs that survived to discharge, 80/156 received N‐LR PRBC and 76/156 received LR PRBC which was not significantly different (P = .66).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

A clinical advantage of using LR over N‐LR PRBC in terms of TRs and increase in PCV after transfusion was not detected.