25th July 2024

A 72-year-old lady is admitted with symptomatic iron-deficiency anaemia for red blood cell transfusion

A 72-year-old lady is admitted with symptomatic iron-deficiency anaemia for red blood cell transfusion. She has a background of AF (atrial fibrillation), previous NSTEMI (non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction), T2DM and raised cholesterol. She is haemodynamically stable on admission.

Overnight, you are called to see her as she becomes breathless during her second unit of blood. Observations are T 36.7℃, HR 98 bpm, BP 155/84 mmHg, RR 24/minute, Sats 91% on room air. On examination, she has an elevated jugular venous pressure and bilateral basal crepitations. She is started on 2 L of oxygen via nasal cannulae and her saturations improve to 96%.

What would the most appropriate treatment be for the likely diagnosis?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.