Transfusion
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This study was designed to obtain data on the incidence of postoperative infection in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery and receiving white blood cell (WBC)-filtered blood components prepared according to current standards. ⋯ Differences in postoperative infection rates between allogeneic and autologous recipients are still observable, although universal WBC filtration has been introduced into clinical practice.
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Transfusions are intended to augment oxygen-carrying capacity. The ability of fresh and stored red blood cells (RBCs) to maintain microvascular perfusion and oxygen delivery to the tissue has not been directly measured. ⋯ Circulation of stored RBCs in a hemodiluted animal resulted in significantly malperfused and underoxygenated microvasculature that was not detectable at the systemic level.