Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (AVHTM) Transfusion Reaction Small Animal Consensus Statement (TRACS). Part 1: Definitions and clinical signs.

Objective To use a systematic, evidence-based consensus process to develop definitions for transfusion reactions in dogs and cats. Design Evidence evaluation of the literature was carried out for identified transfusion reaction types in dogs and cats. Reaction definitions were generated based on synthesis of human and veterinary literature. Consensus on the definitions was achieved through Delphi-style surveys. Draft recommendations were made available through industry specialty listservs and comments were incorporated. Results Definitions with imputability criteria were developed for 14 types of transfusion reactions. Conclusions The evidence review and consensus process resulted in definitions that can be used to facilitate future veterinary transfusion reaction research.