blood disorders
Precautions and Adverse Reactions During Blood Transfusion
Fluid overload
Transfusion recipients can receive more fluid than their body can easily handle. Too much fluid may cause swelling throughout the body or difficulty breathing. This complication is the most common cause of transfusion-related death. Recipients who have heart disease are most vulnerable, so their transfusions are given more slowly and they are monitored closely. People who receive too much fluid are given a drug to help the body remove fluid (a diuretic). 