Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue
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Clinical Trial Observational Study
Intravenous iron administration for post-operative anaemia management after colorectal cancer surgery in clinical practice: a single-centre, retrospective study.
Evidence on the role of intravenous iron (IVI) supplementation after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery is rather scant. This study was aimed at assessing the benefit of post-operative IVI administration after elective CRC surgery at our institution. ⋯ Of the 159 patients studied, 139 (87%) presented with anaemia: 47 (34%) of these received post-operative IVI and 92 (66%) did not. Patients in the IVI group had lower POD1 Hb levels compared to those in the NIVI group (p=0.001). On POD30, only 103 had their Hb measured (34 IVI, 69 NIVI). Anaemia was more prevalent and more severe among the patients in the IVI group (p=0.027), despite their greater increment in Hb (2.0±1.5 g/dL vs 1.1±1.2 g/dL; p=0.001). Eleven patients needed post-operative transfusions (7 IVI, 4 NIVI; p=0.044). There were no differences in post-operative complication rates between the groups. No IVI-related adverse events were recorded DISCUSSION: Compared with standard care, post-operative IVI administration to anaemic patients improved the recovery of Hb levels at POD30, without increasing post-operative complications.
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Meta Analysis
The use of viscoelastic haemostatic assays in non-cardiac surgical settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Thrombelastography (TEG) and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) are viscoelastic haemostatic assays (VHA) which exploit the elastic properties of clotting blood. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the usefulness of these tests in bleeding patients outside the cardiac surgical setting. ⋯ Overall, the certainty of the evidence provided by the trials was too low for us to be certain of the benefits and harms of viscoelastic haemostatic assay in non-cardiac surgical settings. More, larger, and better-designed RCTs should be carried out in this area.
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Cardiac surgery is frequently associated with excessive blood loss requiring multiple blood transfusions which are, in turn, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the effectiveness of rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®)-guided administration of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) with regards to blood loss, transfusion requirements, and major post-operative complications. ⋯ Compared with empirical treatment, timely ROTEM®-guided FFP administration during cardiac surgery can reduce not only overall blood product use and blood loss but also the duration of hospitalisation.
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Transfusion-associated circulatory overload is characterised by acute respiratory distress, tachycardia, increased blood pressure, acute pulmonary oedema and/or evidence of positive fluid balance occurring within 6 hours after transfusion. Transfusion-associated circulatory overload is a serious, underreported reaction, which makes this iatrogenic condition difficult to prevent. We present an audit of patients admitted to a medical emergency unit, aiming to investigate: (i) the incidence of transfusion-associated circulatory overload; and (ii) whether cases were reported to the haemovigilance system. The clinical implications are discussed within the frame of the Early Warning Score. ⋯ The incidence of transfusion-associated circulatory overload in acute emergency patients was similar to that in other clinical studies. Lack of recognition and reporting was marked, even though changes in vital signs were monitored in the context of the Early Warning Score. This study points to a missing link in the transfusion chain, namely recognising the vital signs of circulatory overload during or shortly after transfusion as being a serious adverse transfusion reaction.
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Observational Study
Tranexamic acid use and risk of thrombosis in regular users ofantithrombotics undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty: a prospectivecohort study.
The effect of tranexamic acid has not been examined in patients who are regular users of antithrombotics before undergoing total knee arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of tranexamic acid on bleeding and the risk of transfusion and thrombosis in patients taking an antithrombotic treatment before primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty. ⋯ Tranexamic acid use after the induction of general anaesthesia in total knee arthroplasty represents a fast, inexpensive, and effective opportunity to reduce peri-operative blood loss in patients on chronic antithrombotic treatment undergoing total knee arthroplasty.