Przybelski et al reported a grading scheme for adverse reactions to a blood substitute. These are similar to the Clinical Toxicity Criteria (CTC) used for chemotherapy. The authors are from Baxter Healthcare Corporation.
Patient selection: status post infusion of a blood substitute
Allergic measures:
(1) drug fever
(2) rash
(3) bronchospasm
(4) anaphylaxis
Allergic Reaction |
Finding |
Grade |
drug fever |
none |
0 |
|
< 38°C (< 100.4°F) |
1 |
|
>= 38°C |
2 |
rash |
none |
0 |
|
transient |
1 |
|
urticaria |
2 |
|
serum sickness |
3 |
bronchospasm |
none |
0 |
|
mild |
2 |
|
requires parenteral therapy |
3 |
anaphylaxis |
absent |
0 |
|
present |
4 |
where:
• A very high drug fever would seem to be Grade 3.
Specialty: Clinical Laboratory