8fb70e90_Transfusion_Reaction__Pathophysiology
[Reaction] Iron overload [Symptom Description] Organ toxicity begins when reticuloendothelial sites of iron storage become saturated. Liver and endocrine dysfunction creates significant morbidity and the most serious complication is cardiotoxicity which causes arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure.Most chronically transfused patients have their iron levels monitored. Some patients require iron chelation therapy [Pathophysiology] 
Each transfused unit of red blood cells contains approximately 250 mg of elemental iron. Since elimination pathways for iron are limited, a person receiving numerous red blood cell transfusions can develop iron overload, which can in turn damage the liver, heart, kidneys, and pancreas. The threshold at which iron overload becomes significant is somewhat unclear, but is likely around 10-20 units of red blood cells transfused.
Transfusion Reaction
Pathophysiology