What are two differential diagnoses for Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI)?

Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) is a serious complication that can occur following blood transfusion, characterized by acute respiratory distress and pulmonary edema. Differentiating TRALI from other conditions is essential to provide appropriate treatment and management.

In this context, TACO (Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload) and ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) are crucial differential diagnoses. TACO occurs due to volume overload from transfusions, leading to pulmonary edema, and can sometimes present similarly to TRALI. Distinguishing between TRALI and TACO is imperative because their management differs significantly.

ARDS represents an umbrella term for various causes of acute lung injury, not limited to transfusion reactions. TRALI can be classified as a type of ARDS because it presents with similar clinical features, making it essential to consider other causes when evaluating a patient with respiratory deterioration after a transfusion.

While DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation) could be involved in complex cases, it is less directly comparable as a differential for TRALI and does not typically present with the specific respiratory symptoms seen in TRALI. Therefore, the combination of TACO and ARDS provides a more comprehensive look at the potential alternatives in