Transfus Med Hemoth
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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.
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Transfus Med Hemoth · Mar 2015
ReviewPoint of care and factor concentrate-based coagulation algorithms.
In the last years it has become evident that the use of blood products should be reduced whenever possible. There is increasing evidence regarding serious adverse events, including higher mortality and morbidity, related to transfusions. The use of point of care (POC) devices integrated in algorithms is one of the important mechanisms to limit blood product exposure. ⋯ The use of factor concentrates compared to the classical blood products can be cost-saving, beneficial for the patient, and in agreement with the WHO-requested standard of care. The empiric and uncontrolled use of blood products such as fresh frozen plasma, red blood cells, and platelets without POC monitoring should no longer be followed with regard to actual evidence in literature. Furthermore, the use of factor concentrates may provide better outcomes and potential for cost saving.
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Transfus Med Hemoth · Mar 2015
Utilisation of Blood Components in Trauma Surgery: A Single-Centre, Retrospective Analysis before and after the Implementation of an Educative PBM Initiative.
The aim of our single-centre retrospective study presented here is to further analyse the utilisation of allogeneic blood components within a 5-year observation period (2009-2013) in trauma surgery (15,457 patients) under the measures of an educational patient blood management (PBM) initiative. ⋯ According to our educational PBM initiative, at least the proportion of trauma patients who received allogeneic blood transfusions could be reduced significantly. However, in case of blood transfusions, the total consumption of RBC, FFP and PLT units remained stable in both time periods. This phenomenon might indicate that the actual need of blood transfusions rather depends on the severity of trauma-related blood loss, the coagulopathy rates or the complexity of the surgical intervention which mainly determines the intra-operative blood loss. Taken together, educational training sessions and systematic reporting systems are suitable measures to avoid unnecessary allogeneic blood transfusions and to continuously improve their restrictive application.