Abstract
We report five cases of intraoperative severe hypotension likely related to red blood cell transfusion through a potassium adsorption filter. The severe hypotension occurred either immediately after the start of red blood cell transfusion or during rapid transfusion through the potassium adsorption filter, and was easily reversed with vasopressive agents. It is unclear whether the use of the filter was the primary cause of the severe hypotension, because the filter was often used in patients in whom hemodynamic conditions were unstable, i. e. , those with massive bleeding or those undergoing a liver transplant. Hypotension due to blood transfusion through a white cell-reduction filter and conventional blood filter has been reported. Hypotension in these patients may have been caused by some vasodilative substance produced by contact with the potassium adsorption filter.
