Transfus Med Hemoth
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Transfus Med Hemoth · Jun 2020
Does Offline Beat Inline Treatment: Investigation into Extracorporeal Photopheresis.
Extracorporeal photopheresis is a therapy based on the induction of apoptosis to cells harvested from peripheral blood, followed by direct retransfusion. Currently, there are two approaches: inline procedures, where cell harvesting, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) incubation, and UV irradiation is performed with a single device, and offline procedures, with collection in one device, followed by 8-MOP incubation/UV irradiation using a second device. ⋯ The offline procedure, as established in our department, provides more apoptotic cells for treatment. The increased number of mononuclear cells collected outweighs a slightly reduced apoptosis rate after 24 h in comparison to the inline procedure. Besides this, the final decision for one or the other procedure has to take into account additional aspects, such as peripheral white blood cell count, hematocrit, and weight of the patient, required before apheresis, extracorporeal volume, and, last but not least, overall costs. The final criterion, however, has to be the reported clinical efficacy of the system applied.
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Transfus Med Hemoth · Nov 2018
Perioperative Thromboelastometry for Adult Living Donor Liver Transplant Recipients with a Tendency to Hypercoagulability: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.
Hypercoagulability can lead to serious thromboembolic events. The aim of this study was to assess the perioperative coagulation status in liver transplant recipients with a tendency to hypercoagulability. ⋯ A significant postoperative step-wise increase in FIBTEM MCF beyond the reference range was observed despite normal fibrinogen plasma concentrations, and FIBTEM MCF was a predictor for thromboembolic events in this study population, particularly after POD 3 and 7 on surgical wards when CCTs failed to detect this condition. However, the predictive value of FIBTEM MCF for postoperative HAT and PVT needs to be confirmed in a larger patient population. A ROTEM-guided anticoagulation regime needs to be developed and investigated in future studies.
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Transfus Med Hemoth · Mar 2015
ReviewEvidence base for restrictive transfusion triggers in high-risk patients.
Liberal versus restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion triggers have been debated for years. This review illustrates the human body's physiologic response to acute anemia and summarizes the evidence from prospective randomized trials (RCTs) for restrictive use of RBC transfusions in high-risk patients. During progressive anemia, the human body maintains the oxygen delivery to the tissues by an increase in cardiac output and peripheral oxygen extraction. Seven RCTs with a total of 5,566 high-risk patients compared a restrictive hemoglobin (Hb) transfusion trigger (Hb < 70 or < 80 g/l) with a liberal Hb transfusion trigger (Hb < 90 or < 100 g/l). Unanimously these studies show non-inferiority, safety, and a significant reduction in RBC transfusions in the restrictive groups. In one RCT mortality was higher in the liberal Hb transfusion group, and in two additional RCTs mortality of subgroups or after risk adjustment was significantly higher in the liberal Hb transfusion trigger groups. ⋯ Strong RCT evidence suggests the safety of restrictive transfusion triggers. As a consequence, an Hb transfusion trigger of <70 g/l is recommended for high risk patients.
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Transfus Med Hemoth · Mar 2015
Preoperative Thromboelastometry as a Predictor of Transfusion Requirements during Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation.
The ability to predict transfusion requirements may improve perioperative bleeding management as an integral part of a patient blood management program. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate preoperative thromboelastometry as a predictor of transfusion requirements for adult living donor liver transplant recipients. ⋯ Preoperative thromboelastometric analysis is helpful to predict transfusion requirements in adult living donor liver transplant recipients. This may allow for better preparation and less cross-matching prior to surgery. The findings of our study need to be re-validated in a second prospective patient population.