1. Transfusion-associated cardiovascular overload (TACO) is most common in critically ill patients receiving a large amount or rapid infusion of blood products who have a history of cardiac or renal dysfunction.
2. TACO will present with signs of fluid overload, including tachypnea, hypoxia, jugular venous distention (JVD), and/or rales on exam.
3. Bedside ultrasound and chest x-ray can be useful in the diagnosis of TACO.
4. Treatment of TACO consists of oxygenation and ventilation as needed, diuretics, and pausing transfusion until the patient’s fluid status is optimized.
5. To reduce risk of TACO in high risk patients, blood given should be limited to what is necessary, rates should be reduced, and diuresis during/after should be considered.
