Hematology/oncology clinics of North America
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Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. · Feb 2007
ReviewTransfusion algorithms and how they apply to blood conservation: the high-risk cardiac surgical patient.
Considerable blood product support is administered to the cardiac surgery population. Due to the multifactorial etiology of bleeding in the cardiac bypass patient, blood products frequently and empirically are infused to correct bleeding, with varying success. ⋯ Some transfusion algorithms also incorporate laboratory-based decision points in their guidelines. Despite published success with standardized transfusion practices, generalized change in blood use has not been realized, and it is evident that current laboratory-guided hemostasis measures are inadequate to define and address the bleeding etiology in these patients.