Intravenous immunoglobulin-associated thrombosis: is it such a rare event? Report of a pediatric case and of the Quebec Hemovigilance System.

Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is frequently given in autoimmune disorders. Side effects are usually mild but severe complications such as thrombosis may occur. After one patient with IVIG-associated thrombotic complication at Sainte-Justine Hospital, the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) reported to the Quebec Hemovigilance System (QHS) was reviewed.

Use of hemovigilance data to evaluate the effectiveness of diversion and bacterial detection.

Background: Several preventive measures, including diversion of the first aliquot of blood and culturing of platelet (PLT) components, have been implemented to decrease the risk of transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections (TTBIs). We evaluated the effectiveness of these measures in Québec using hemovigilance data from January 2000 to December 2008.

Study Design And Methods: Adverse transfusion reactions were reported to the Québec Ministry of Health by transfusion safety officers.