Which blood component is most appropriate to prevent future reactions in a patient who experienced fever and chills during a transfusion?

In cases where a patient experiences fever and chills during a transfusion, this often indicates a febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction, which is typically due to the recipient's immune response to donor white blood cells (WBCs) or cytokines in the infused product. To prevent future reactions, a blood component that minimizes the presence of these white blood cells is most effective.

Leukocyte-reduced red blood cells are specifically processed to remove the majority of white blood cells, significantly reducing the risk of such febrile reactions upon subsequent transfusions. This is particularly important for patients with a history of febrile reactions, as it addresses the underlying cause of the immune response more effectively.

Other options, while potentially beneficial in different scenarios, do not directly target the leukocyte component that is often responsible for febrile reactions. Irradiation mainly prevents transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease and does not eliminate WBCs. Meanwhile, selecting blood based on cytomegalovirus (CMV) status helps prevent viral transmission but does not address the immediate immune response associated with transfusing WBCs. Therefore, leukocyte-reduced red blood cells are the most appropriate choice for minimizing the risk of future febrile