Acute & emergency · UKMLA & AKT
Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO)
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise transfusion-associated circulatory overload (taco) — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- TACO presents during transfusion or within 12 hours of completion - acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema superimposed on the transfusion context.
- Dyspnoea - acute onset or worsening, often first symptom
- Hypertension - cardinal discriminating feature from TRALI
- Tachycardia and tachypnoea
- Bibasal crackles - pulmonary oedema flooding the alveoli
- Raised JVP and peripheral oedema - elevated venous backpressure from volume overload
- Reduced SpO2 - alveolar flooding impairs gas exchange
- Risk factors: elderly, pre-existing heart failure, renal disease
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