Objective To explore the factors related to the occurrence time of common adverse blood transfusion reactions (allergic blood transfusion reaction, non-hemolytic febrile blood transfusion reaction).

Methods The data of 80 patients with adverse reactions related to blood transfusion were retrospectively analyzed (with 78 patients included eventually). According to the clinical medication, the patients were divided into antihistamine group (n=19, promethazine or diphenhydramine), dexamethasone group (n=32) and no medication group (n=27). The occurrence time of adverse reactions was observed and compared among the three groups.

Results The occurrence time of transfusion adverse reactions in the antihistamine group was significantly later than that in the dexamethasone group and no drug group (P < 0.05). The occurrence time of adverse reactions in patients with history of blood transfusion was significantly later than that in patients without history of blood transfusion (P < 0.05). The occurrence time of transfusion adverse reactions in patients with 5 or more transfusions during hospitalization was significantly earlier than that in patients with less than 5 transfusions (P < 0.05). The adverse reaction time of transfusion in patients with suspended red blood cell infusion was significantly later than that in patients with normal plasma and apheresis platelet infusion (P < 0.05). The occurrence time of anaphylactic blood transfusion reaction in patients with normal plasma infusion was significantly earlier than that in patients with suspended red blood cell infusion (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Prophylactic use of antihistamines before transfusion can lead to a delay in the occurrence of common transfusion adverse reactions. The time of common transfusion adverse reactions in patients with multiple blood transfusions and infusion of different blood components differs, so it is necessary to be careful to use preventive drugs and choose blood products reasonably before transfusion.