Transfusion
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New testing methods such as nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) and chemiluminescent serologic assays have been introduced, more precise estimates for infectious window periods are available, and a new method for estimating the residual risk (RR) of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) has been developed. Thus, available RR estimates for Canada need to be updated. ⋯ New tests have reduced an already low risk of TTI in Canada. HCV RR estimates by two different methods differed but both were low.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Cardioprotective effects of acute normovolemic hemodilution in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing valve replacement.
After acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH), improvement of the rheologic conditions may contribute to optimize tissue oxygen delivery and attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injuries. It was hypothesized that ANH would confer additional cardioprotection in patients with ventricular hypertrophy undergoing open heart surgery. ⋯ Besides conventional cardiac preservation techniques, preoperative ANH further attenuates myocardial injuries. Optimization of preischemic myocardial oxygen delivery and/or consumption and the postconditioning effects of endogenous EPO are potential mechanisms for ANH-induced cardioprotection.
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Usually, a predonation hemoglobin (Hb) measurement must precede blood donation. Hb values of a donor's previous donation might be used for selecting a subgroup in which predonation Hb measurements are unnecessary. ⋯ Selecting donors for a current Hb measurement based upon their last whole-blood predonation Hb value is a useful method, even after prolonged interdonation intervals.