Transfusion
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of visually estimated blood loss with direct hemoglobin measurement in multilevel spine surgery.
Estimates of blood loss in the operating room are typically performed as a visual assessment by providers, despite multiple studies showing this to be inaccurate. Use of a less subjective measurement of blood loss such as direct measurement of the hemoglobin (Hb) mass lost from the surgical field may better quantify surgical bleeding. The objective of this investigation was to compare anesthesiologist estimates of intraoperative blood loss with measured Hb loss. ⋯ Estimated blood loss exceeded measured blood loss by 40% on average. The likely etiology of this discrepancy relates to the inability to visually determine Hb concentration of sanguineous solutions in suction canisters and surgical sponges. Ramifications of excessive bleeding estimates include unnecessary transfusion and overadministration of intravenous fluids, both of which may have deleterious effects.
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This study investigated whether implementation of cell salvage of shed mediastinal and residual blood in all patients undergoing low-to-moderate-risk cardiac surgery reduces the need for allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion compared to patients not subjected to cell salvage. ⋯ The use of cell salvage throughout the entire procedure reduces postoperative blood loss and allogeneic RBC transfusion. These findings advocate implementation of cell salvage in all patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery, irrespective of anticipated surgery-related blood loss.
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Red blood cells (RBCs) undergo changes during storage. Various studies have suggested a higher risk of adverse and often multifactorial clinical outcomes associated with older-stored RBCs. Our aim therefore was to examine if storage of transfused RBCs is also associated with the risk of RBC-specific alloantibody formation. ⋯ Our findings suggest that storage times of transfused RBCs between 1 and 4 weeks do not affect the risk of alloimmunization.
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Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are thought to have an adverse risk:benefit profile when compared to that of transfusing stored red blood cells (RBCs). However, there are clinical circumstances when RBC transfusion is not an option (e.g., patient refusal, unavailability owing to issues of compatibility or remote location). ⋯ We conclude that at Hb concentrations less than 6 g/dL, the risk of a further decrease in Hb concentration greatly exceeds the risk of HBOC infusion. Thus, we suggest that there may be a place for use of HBOCs when RBC transfusion is not an option.
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Protamine is widely used to reverse the anticoagulant effects of heparin. Although mild thrombocytopenia is common in patients given protamine after cardiac procedures, acute severe thrombocytopenia has not been described. We encountered a patient who experienced profound thrombocytopenia and bleeding shortly after administration of protamine and performed studies to characterize the responsible mechanism. ⋯ Findings made suggest that the patient's antibody is specific for conformational changes induced in protamine when it reacts with heparin or a PLT surface GAG. Development of severe thrombocytopenia after treatment of this patient with protamine defines a previously undescribed mechanism of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia. Patients given protamine who produce this type of antibody may be at risk of experiencing thrombocytopenia if given the drug a second time while antibody is still present.