What is Canadian Blood Services position on reducing the risk of TRALI?
Canadian Blood Services is moving forward with continued TRALI reduction measures, which began in the fall of 2007 with the use of predominantly male plasma for the production of FP, FFP, Cryosupernatant and plasma used in platelet pools. In March 2008 we proceeded to channel apheresis plasma donations into two streams: the first being male plasma to go to hospital recipients, and the second being female plasma to go to fractionation. Starting July 20, 2009, women who have had previous pregnancies, including ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages and abortions, will not be permitted to donate platelets other than in special circumstances. This is because women who have been pregnant are at highest risk to develop the antibodies that may trigger a TRALI reaction in a transfused patient. These measures are aligned to current best practices recommended by professional organisations, such as the American Association of Blood Banks, which advocate for countries to take steps to reduce the risk o
