Incidence, risk factors and outcome of TRALI after cardiac surgery

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a syndrome that presents as a sudden onset of respiratory distress 6 hours after transfusion of blood products. The diagnosis is based on clinical and radiographic findings. Particularly at risk for TRALI are cardiac surgery patients. However, specific patient risk factors and data on outcome are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate incidence, risk factors and outcome of TRALI in cardiac surgical patients on cardiopulmonary bypass.