[Evaluation of transfusion hemochromatosis prevalence, SFVTT-01 study: preliminary results of the SFVTT working group].

Rational: Although notification of post-transfusion hemosiderosis is mandatory since 1994 among the French hemovigilance network, it is so far largely under reported.
Patients and Methods: We screened 42,443 patients hospitalized for blood diseases in France in 2009 and 2010 and determined which patients had received more than 20 PRC. Among them, we selected those having at least one measure of serum ferritin, and subsequently those which ferritin was greater than or equal to 1000 ng/mL.
Results: Three thousand eight hundred and twelve patients (9%) received more than 20 PRC, 1935 (4.5%) had a ferritin assay, which was increased in 1216 patients (2.9%). Eight hundred and eighty-one patients underwent an hemovigilance report form. Forty-nine percent had low-risk myelodysplasia or acute leukemia, 7% hemoglobinopathies. Hemosiderosis was asymptomatic for 680 patients (77%), serious 188 (88%) and life-threatening for 11 (1%). Two patients died of terminal heart failure. The most severe hemosiderosis (≥ grade 2) were low-risk myelodysplasia and idiopathic aplastic anemia. Ninety-two percent of thalassemia patients and 46% of sickle cell anemia patients received an iron chelator. For low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes and idiopathic aplastic anemia, 228 of the 317 patients whose treatment is known and who could benefit from iron chelation (72%) have not received it.
Conclusion: These results encourage seeking optimal transmission of information (over 20 CGR) to the clinician, and prolonging hemovigilance action towards a more comprehensive statement of post-transfusion hemochromatosis.
(Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)