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

Radulescu, Sinziana Maria; Skulberg, Ragnhild; McDonald, Charlotte; Chan, Daniel L.; Humm, Karen

Abstract

Abstract
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.

Citation

Radulescu, S. M., Skulberg, R., McDonald, C., Chan, D. L., & Humm, K. (in press). Randomized double‐blinded clinical trial on acute transfusion reactions in dogs receiving leukoreduced versus nonleukoreduced packed red blood cells. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16138

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 15, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 7, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 15, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 15, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
• Print ISSN: 0891-6640
• Electronic ISSN: 1939-1676
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16138
• Keywords: General Veterinary
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1548802
• Additional Information: Received: 2020-11-10; Accepted: 2021-04-15; Published: 2021-05-07