Congestive heart failure, severe headache and/or peripheral edema soon after transfusion indicates which type of transfusion reaction?

Transfusion reactions can present with various symptoms based on their underlying cause. In the case of congestive heart failure, severe headache, and/or peripheral edema occurring shortly after a transfusion, these signs are indicative of circulatory overload.

Circulatory overload, also known as transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO), occurs when the volume of transfused blood products exceeds the patient’s ability to accommodate that volume, especially in individuals with compromised cardiovascular systems. This condition is characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea (shortness of breath), hypertension, peripheral edema, and, in some cases, headache due to increased blood volume and pressure.

In this scenario, the presence of these specific symptoms—namely the combination of congestive heart failure signs and peripheral edema—strongly supports the diagnosis of circulatory overload, as they reflect the body’s response to excessive fluid administration during a transfusion. It is crucial to monitor patients closely for these signs, particularly if they have a history of heart failure or other cardiovascular issues.