Postoperative blood transfusion strategy in frail,anemic elderly patients with hip fracture

Background and purpose — Hip fracture (HF) in frail elderly patients is associated with poor physical recovery and death. There is often postoperative blood loss and the hemoglobin (Hb) threshold for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in these patients is unknown. We investigated whether RBC transfusion strategies were associated with the degree of physical recovery or with reduced mortality after HF surgery.

Patients and methods — We enrolled 284 consecutive post-surgical HF patients (aged ≥ 65 years) with Hb levels < 11.3 g/dL (7 mmol/L) who had been admitted from nursing homes or sheltered housing. Allocation was stratified by residence. The patients were randomly assigned to either restrictive (Hb < 9.7 g/dL; < 6 mmol/L) or liberal (Hb < 11.3 g/dL; < 7 mmol/L) RBC transfusions given within the first 30 days postoperatively. Follow-up was at 90 days.

Results — No statistically significant differences were found in repeated measures of daily living activities or in 90-day mortality rate between the restrictive group (where 27% died) and the liberal group (where 21% died). Per-protocol 30-day mortality was higher with the restrictive strategy (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1–5.2; p = 0.03). The 90-day mortality rate was higher for nursing home residents in the restrictive transfusion group (36%) than for those in the liberal group (20%) (HR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1–3.6; p = 0.01).

Interpretation — According to our Hb thresholds, recovery from physical disabilities in frail elderly hip fracture patients was similar after a restrictive RBC transfusion strategy and after a liberal strategy. Implementation of a liberal RBC transfusion strategy in nursing home residents has the potential to increase survival.     

Tranexamic acid reduced blood transfusions in acute burn surgery: A retrospective case-controlled trial

ObjectiveEarly excision and grafting of burn wounds are key for reducing prevalence of infection and sepsis. However, it is associated with massive blood loss and patients frequently require large numbers of blood transfusions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on blood transfusion requirements in acute burn surgery.MethodsPatients admitted to the burn intensive care unit between January 2018 and May 2021 and received TXA before first surgery for wound excision and grafting were matched in a 1:2 ratio to patients that did not receive TXA (confounders age,sex,total body surface area (TBSA) burned). Primary endpoint of the analysis was the total number of transfused units of red blood cells (RBC) intra- and postoperatively up to 48 h. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets were evaluated. Endpoints were compared between groups using van Elteren tests adjusting for strata variable age, gender, TBSA.ResultsTwenty-six TXA patients were matched with 52 control patients resulting in similar distributions of gender (77.9%(TXA)vs. 82.7%(control) males, p=0.542), age (51.7±21.3vs.48.3 ±17.4years,p = 0.459) and %TBSA burned (33.5%(IQR34)vs. 38.5% (IQR 30.5),p = 1.000). TXA group received significantly less RBC units intraoperatively (2.5(IQR 2.0)vs.4.0 units (IQR4.0), p = 0.038) and in total (4.0(IQR3.0)vs.6.0(IQR4.0),p = 0.017). TXA patients also received less blood products in general (RBC, FFP, platelets) in each period and in total. We found no significant difference in length of stay (24.0(IQR26.0)vs.33.0 days (IQR 0.5),p = 0.367) or mortality (15.4%vs.21.2%, p = 0.542).DiscussionThis study shows that necessity for blood transfusions in acute burn surgery may be reduced significantly by administration of TXA perioperatively. Randomized-controlled trials are needed to prove these findings.     

Predicting Fluid Responsiveness in Patients Undergoing Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: Effects on Intraoperative Blood Transfusion and Postoperative Complications

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that the restrictive volume therapy decreases blood transfusion requirement during liver orthotopic transplantation (OLT) without increasing acute renal complications and hospital length stay.Material and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study (n = 89), randomized into 2 groups: A (liberal fluid strategy) and B (restrictive therapy). We analyzed packed red blood cells (PRBCs) units, transfused units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), colloids, crystalloids, perioperative renal function, and hospital length stay. For comparison of proportions, we used the χ² test and Student t test to compare means (parametric). A logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the association of all these variables with probability of PRBCs transfusion.ResultsIn group A, 88.4% of patients required intraoperative transfusion of PRBCs, with a mean of 8.5 ± 7.02 IU, compared with 82.2% in group B with a mean of 5.02 ± 4.5 IU (P < .001). We also found differences in the following variables: FFP transfusion rate was 95.3% (mean, 15.02 ± 8.2 IU) in group A and 75.6% (mean, 8.7 ± 6.04 IU) in B (P < .001). The amount of colloid was 50% (mean, 692.8 ± 409.6 mL) in group A and 28.9% (mean, 607.6 ± 316.7 mL) in B (P = .032). Platelet concentrates transfusion was 79.1% (mean, 2.05 ± 1.1 IU) in group A and 51.1% (mean, 2.0 ± 1.08 IU) in B (P = .014). As an important effect of restrictive fluid therapy, renal function was assessed; no differences in mean creatinine or acute renal failure in the immediate postoperative period were observed. There was no difference in hospital length stay. Logistic regression modelling identified 3 variables as significant predictors of transfusion: Fluid administration policy, preoperative hemoglobin and FFP units transfused. Furthermore, an increase of preoperative hemoglobin is associated with a lesser probability of transfusion.ConclusionsThese results show that fluid restriction management for OLT decreased blood products requirements, especially FFP. This could suggest that liberal fluid management may aggravate, rather than prevent, bleeding in these patients. We did observed any no difference in failure of renal function.     

For assessment of changes in intraoperative red blood cell transfusion practices over time,the pooled incidence of transfusion correlates highly with total units transfused

Study objectiveMultiple studies nationwide and at single hospitals have examined changes over time in the incidence of perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. However, the cost of RBC transfusions is related to the number of RBC units transfused, not to the incidence. We evaluate whether the readily available incidence of RBC transfusion can be used as a valid surrogate measure.DesignObservational retrospective study.SettingOne tertiary, academic hospital.Patients394,789 cases of 1885 procedures over N = 42 quarters of the year.InterventionsNone.MeasurementIncidence and number of RBC units transfused intraoperatively.Main resultsThe number of RBC units transfused per case did not follow a Poisson distribution, confirming that the number of units and incidence of transfusion are not interchangeable for analyzing decisions by case. However, with all cases of each quarter combined, the Spearman correlation was 0.98 ± 0.01 between each quarter's incidence of RBC transfusion and mean RBC units transfused per case (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsFor assessment of changes in intraoperative RBC transfusion practices over years, it is sufficient to analyze the pooled incidence of transfusion, rather than to calculate the number of units transfused.     

Tranexamic acid is effective in lower doses with infusion in total knee arthroplasty

ObjectiveTo identify the most effective intravenous regimen with reduced doses of tranexamic acid (TXA).MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the two most frequently used TXA regimens (infusion and divided-dose regimens) in total knee arthroplasty in comparison with patients not treated with TXA, in three groups. Group NO (n = 134; 19 men and 115 women; mean age: 66.48 ± 7.66) (patients who were not treated with TXA); group DIV (n = 158; 14 men and 144 women; mean age: 65.67 ± 7.98) (total dose of 10 mg/kg intravenous TXA divided into two doses: 15 minutes before tourniquet inflation and 15 minutes before tourniquet deflation), an extra 5 mg/kg intravenous TXA dose was administered 2 hours after surgery in the orthopedic ward, if needed; and group INF (n = 193; 33 men and 160 women; mean age: 67.08 ± 7.2) (10 mg/kg TXA perioperative intravenous infusion starting 15 minutes before surgery until closure of the wound, and 5 mg/kg additional intravenous dose was administered 12 hours after surgery). Pre-postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Htc) difference, total blood loss (TBL), number of transfused packed red blood cells (pRBC), and length of hospital stays (LOS) were compared between the groups.ResultsTBL was lower in group INF (531.61 ± 316.76 mL) in comparison with group DIV (999.91 ± 352.62 mL). TBL was statistically significantly higher in Group NO (1139.23 ± 43 mL). The mean number of transfused pRBC was significantly higher in the control group (1.22 ± 0.58 units) than the in the other TXA groups. The mean number of transfused pRBC was significantly lower in INF group (0.33 ± 0.56 units) than DIV group (0.75 ± 0.63 units). The number of patients requiring transfusion was significantly lower in INF group (28.5%) than DIV group (65.2%). Group NO had the highest number of patients requiring transfusion (96.3%). Pre-postoperative Hb and Htc difference was significantly lower in INF group (?1.19 ± 0.9 gr/dL and ?3.74 ± 2.96%). The mean LOS of the control group, group DIV and group INF were 7.16 ± 2.29, 6.93 ± 2.39 and 5.06 ± 1.24 days, respectively. Group INF had the lowest hospital stay time in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.005). There was no statistically significant difference between the control group and group DIV in the LOS.ConclusionA total dose of 10 mg/kg of TXA perioperative intravenous infusion starting 15 minutes before the surgery until wound closure can significantly decrease TBL. Intraoperative infusion regimen is more effective than the divided-dose regimen.Level of EvidenceLevel III, Therapeutic Study.     

Reducing unnecessary crossmatching for hip fracture patients by accounting for preoperative hemoglobin concentration

BACKGROUNDMaximum surgical blood order schedules were designed to eliminate unnecessary preoperative crossmatching prior to surgery in order to conserve blood bank resources. Most protocols recommend type and cross of 2 red blood cell (RBC) units for patients undergoing surgery for treatment of hip fracture. Preoperative hemoglobin has been identified as the strongest predictor of inpatient transfusion, but current maximum surgical blood order schedules do not consider preoperative hemoglobin values to determine the number of RBC units to prepare prior to surgery. AIMTo determine the preoperative hemoglobin level resulting in the optimal 2:1 crossmatch-to-transfusion (C:T) ratio in hip fracture surgery patients.METHODSIn 2015 a patient blood management (PBM) program was implemented at our institution mandating a single unit-per-occurrence transfusion policy and a restrictive transfusion threshold of < 7 g/dL hemoglobin in asymptomatic patients and < 8 g/dL in those with refractory symptomatic anemia or history of coronary artery disease. We identified all hip fracture patients between 2013 and 2017 and compared the preoperative hemoglobin which would predict a 2:1 C:T ratio in the pre PBM and post PBM cohorts. Prediction profiling and sensitivity analysis were performed with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTSFour hundred and ninety-eight patients who underwent hip fracture surgery between 2013 and 2017 were identified, 291 in the post PBM cohort. Transfusion requirements in the post PBM cohort were lower (51% vs 33%, P < 0.0001) than in the pre PBM cohort. The mean RBC units transfused per patient was 1.15 in the pre PBM cohort, compared to 0.66 in the post PBM cohort (P < 0.001). The 2:1 C:T ratio (inpatient transfusion probability of 50%) was predicted by a preoperative hemoglobin of 12.3 g/dL [area under the curve (AUC) 0.78 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-0.83), Sensitivity 0.66] in the pre PBM cohort and 10.7 g/dL [AUC 0.78 (95%CI, 0.73-0.83), Sensitivity 0.88] in the post PBM cohort. A 50% probability of requiring > 1 RBC unit was predicted by 11.2g/dL [AUC 0.80 (95%CI, 0.74-0.85), Sensitivity 0.87] in the pre PBM cohort and 8.7g/dL [AUC 0.78 (95%CI, 0.73-0.83), Sensitivity 0.84] in the post-PBM cohort.CONCLUSIONThe hip fracture maximum surgical blood order schedule should consider preoperative hemoglobin in determining the number of units to type and cross prior to surgery.     

Effect of single dose intravenous tranexamic acid on blood loss in tangential excision of burn wounds — A double blind randomised controlled trial

IntroductionThis study was carried out to evaluate role of intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing blood loss during tangential excision of burns.MethodsThis was a single center, prospective double-blinded parallel arm superiority randomized placebo-controlled trial. Patients (15?55 years) with deep dermal thermal burns <30% undergoing tangential excision were randomly assigned (1:1) to TXA and placebo groups. Patients in TXA and placebo groups received injection TXA 15 mg/kg and 10 ml saline respectively, 10 min preoperatively. Primary outcome was volume of blood loss per square centimeter area of burn excised. Secondary outcomes were total volume of blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin, intraoperative fluid requirement, blood transfusion, graft take and length of hospitalization (LOH).ResultsThirty patients were included. Both groups were comparable in terms of Body Mass Index (BMI) preoperative hemoglobin, area of burn excised, duration of surgery and the intraoperative temperature. The average blood loss per square centimeter burn area excised was found to be significantly lower in TXA when compared to placebo group (mean difference: 0.28 ± 0.025 ml/cm²; p = 0.000). The total volume of blood loss was lower in TXA group (258.7 ± 124.10 ml vs 388.1 ± 173.9 ml; p = 0.07). None of the patients required transfusion. The requirement of intra-operative fluids was similar between the two groups (crystalloids: p = 0.236; colloids: p = 0.238). Postoperative hemoglobin, length of hospitalization and graft-take were comparable between the two groups.ConclusionTXA reduced blood loss per unit burn area of tangential excision in <30%TBSA burn, however, we found no significant effect on postoperative Hb and transfusion.     

Red blood cell transfusion following burn

A severe burn will significantly alter haematologic parameters, and manifest as anaemia, which is commonly found in patients with greater than 10% total body surface area (TBSA) involvement. Maintaining haemoglobin and haematocrit levels with blood transfusion has been the gold standard for the treatment of anaemia for many years. While there is no consensus on when to transfuse, an increasing number of authors have expressed that less blood products should be transfused. Current transfusion protocols use a specific level of haemoglobin or haematocrit, which dictates when to transfuse packed red blood cells (PRBCs). This level is known as the trigger. There is no one 'common trigger' as values range from 6 g dl(-1) to 8 g dl(-1) of haemoglobin. The aim of this study was to analyse the current status of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in the treatment of burn patients, and address new information regarding burn and blood transfusion management. Analysis of existing transfusion literature confirms that individual burn centres transfuse at a lower trigger than in previous years. The quest for a universal transfusion trigger should be abandoned. All RBC transfusions should be tailored to the patient's blood volume status, acuity of blood loss and ongoing perfusion requirements. We also focus on the prevention of unnecessary transfusion as well as techniques to minimise blood loss, optimise red cell production and determine when transfusion is appropriate.     

Transfusion of red blood cells: no impact on length of hospital stay in moderately anaemic parturients

BACKGROUND: In a search for information to improve decision making on red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, we examined the impact of RBC transfusion on the length of hospital stay for delivery in moderately anaemic women (haemoglobin, 7-10 g/dl). METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study covering 2 years (2002 and 2003), and included major blood-transfusing hospitals from four university and five central hospital districts managing 67.5% of Finnish in-hospital deliveries. The impact of the transfusion of 1-2 RBC units vs. no transfusion on the length of hospital stay was evaluated for three different haemoglobin levels: 7-7.9, 8-8.9 and 9-10 g/dl. RESULTS: Of the 1954 moderately anaemic mothers in hospital for delivery, 13.3% were transfused with RBC. The mean length of hospital stay was 5.2 days vs. the average Finnish hospital delivery stay of 3.5 days. No differences in stay were found between patients with comparable anaemia transfused with 1-2 RBC units or none (at the three haemoglobin levels: P= 0.50, P= 0.07 and P= 0.54, respectively). The final haemoglobin value was higher (P < 0.001) in transfused patients. CONCLUSION: The duration of admission for delivery in moderately anaemic parturients was longer than the average length of hospital stay in Finnish parturients. However, 1-2 RBC units had no impact on the length of stay, suggesting that unnecessary RBCs are transfused after delivery. Thus, transfusion practices in obstetrics are not always optimal.     

Transfusion Thresholds for Major Orthopedic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

More than a million surgeries are performed annually in the United States for hip or knee arthroplasty or hip fracture stabilization. One-fifth of these patients have blood transfusions during their hospital stay. Increases in transfusion rates have caused concern about increased adverse events from unnecessary transfusions.

Restrictive Transfusion Practice During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Recommendations concerning the management of hemoglobin levels and hematocrit in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) still advise maintenance of a normal hematocrit. In contrast, current transfusion guidelines for critically ill patients support restrictive transfusion practice. We report on a series of patients receiving venovenous ECMO (vvECMO) for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) treated according to the restrictive transfusion regimen recommended for critically ill patients. We retrospectively analyzed 18 patients receiving vvECMO due to severe ARDS. Hemoglobin concentrations were kept between 7 and 9 g/dL with a transfusion trigger at 7 g/dL or when physiological transfusion triggers were apparent. We assessed baseline data, hospital mortality, time on ECMO, hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, quantities of packed red blood cells received, and lactate concentrations and compared survivors and nonsurvivors. The overall mortality of all patients on vvECMO was 38.9%. Mean hemoglobin concentration over all patients and ECMO days was 8.30 ± 0.51 g/dL, and hematocrit was 0.25 ± 0.01, with no difference between survivors and nonsurvivors. Mean numbers of given PRBCs showed a trend towards higher quantities in the group of nonsurvivors, but the difference was not significant (1.97 ± 1.47 vs. 0.96 ± 0.76 units; P = 0.07). Mean lactate clearance from the first to the third day was 45.4 ± 28.3%, with no significant difference between survivors and nonsurvivors (P = 0.19). In our cohort of patients treated with ECMO due to severe ARDS, the application of a restrictive transfusion protocol did not result in an increased mortality. Safety and feasibility of the application of a restrictive transfusion protocol in patients on ECMO must further be evaluated in randomized controlled trials.     

Risks, benefits, alternatives and indications of allogenic blood transfusions

Allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are associated with multiple disadvantages, such as limited availability, high costs, multiple risks and side effects. In addition, large outcome studies comparing liberal (hemoglobin transfusion trigger range 9-10 g/dL) and restrictive (hemoglobin transfusion trigger range 7-9 g/dL) transfusion regimens still need to be performed for surgical patients. Different transfusion alternatives are known for the pre-, intra- and postoperative period. Autologous blood donation and erythropoietin are efficacious in the preoperative period. Intraoperatively, acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH), cell salvage, antifibrinolytics, specific anesthetic and surgical techniques, coagulation monitoring, acceptance of minimal hemoglobin values and hopefully soon artificial oxygen carriers can reduce allogeneic RBC transfusions. In the postoperative period cell salvage, antifibrinolytics, and accepting minimal hemoglobin values represent alternatives to RBC transfusions. When treating a bleeding patient, the initial administration of crystalloids and colloids to restore and maintain normovolemia is important. RBC transfusions are recommended under the following circumstances: for hemoglobin levels <6 g/dL and for physiologic signs of inadequate oxygenation such as hemodynamic instability, oxygen extraction rate >50% and myocardial ischemia, detectable by new ST-segment depressions >0.1 mV, new ST-segment elevations >0.2 mV or new wall motion abnormalities by transesophageal echocardiography. The aim of this article is to review the efficacy, risk and side effects of RBC transfusions, to discuss transfusion alternatives and to summarize current indications for RBC transfusions. This information will help the physician to judiciously use RBC transfusions when they are indeed indicated.     

Should we reconsider triggers for red blood cell transfusion?

Very few randomized controlled trials on the benefits of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in humans have been published. Consequently, most clinical practice guidelines remain based on expert opinion, animal studies and the limited human trials available. In the absence of definitive outcome studies, numerous theoretical arguments have been put forward either to support or to condone the classic transfusion threshold of 10 g/dL. However, the limited data available from randomized controlled trials suggest that a restrictive transfusion strategy (transfusion threshold between 7 and 8 g/dL) is associated with decreased transfusion requirements, that overall morbidity (including cardiac morbidity) and mortality, hemodynamic, pulmonary and oxygen transport variables are not different between restrictive and liberal transfusion strategies and, finally, that a restrictive transfusion strategy is not associated with increased adverse outcomes. In fact, a restrictive strategy may be associated with decreased adverse outcomes in younger and less sick critical care patients. The majority of existing guidelines conclude that transfusion is rarely indicated when the hemoglobin concentration is greater than 10 g/dL and is almost always indicated when it falls below a threshold of 6 g/dL in healthy, stable patients or more in older, sicker patients. In anesthetized patients, this threshold should be modulated by factors related to the dynamic nature of surgery, such as uncontrolled hemorrhage, coagulopathy, etc. Since transfusions are administered to correct inadequate oxygen delivery, whether global or regional, reliable monitors of tissue oxygenation will be required to study the benefits (or lack thereof) of RBC transfusions. The quest for a universal transfusion trigger, the holy grail of transfusion medicine, must be abandoned. All RBC transfusions must be tailored to the patient's needs, at the moment the need arises. In conclusion most published recommendations are appropriate but their conclusions are limited, as they are commensurate with existing knowledge. Reliable monitors to guide transfusion therapy and well conducted trials to determine optimal transfusion strategies are required.     

Blood Utilization After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty in a Large Hospital Network

Background

Since a study in orthopedic hip fracture patients demonstrated that a liberal hemoglobin (Hb) threshold does not improve patient morbidity and mortality relative to a restrictive Hb threshold, the standard of care in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) should be examined to understand the variability of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion following TJA.

Questions/purposes

The study aimed to answer the following questions: (1) What is the blood utilization rate after primary TJA for individual surgeons within a large hospital network? (2) What is the comparison of hospital charges, length of stay (LOS), and discharge locations among TJA patients who were and were not transfused?

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 3,750 primary total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) and 2,070 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs), and data was retrospectively collected over a 15-month period on the number of RBCs transfused per patient, along with demographic and cost details. The number of patients who received at least 1 RBC unit and the number of RBCs transfused per patient was calculated and stratified by surgeon.

Results

In the postoperative period, 19.3% TKA patients and 38.5% THA patients received a RBC transfusion. Transfusion rates following TJA varied widely between surgeons (TKA 4.8–63.8%, THA 4.3–86.8%). Transfused TKA patients received an average of 1.65 ± 0.03 RBCs, and THA patients received an average of 1.97 ± 0.14 RBCs. LOS and hospital charges for blood transfusion patients were higher than nontransfused patients.

Conclusion

Blood utilization after primary TJA varies greatly among surgeons, suggesting that resources may be misallocated. These findings highlight the need to standardize RBC transfusion practice following TJA.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-013-9327-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Assessing the appropriateness of blood transfusion among injured patients at a Ghanaian tertiary hospital: Time for clarity on the use of a scarce resource

IntroductionHemorrhage is an important cause of preventable injury-related death. Many low- and middle-income country (LMIC) patients do not have timely access to safe blood. We sought to determine the degree of appropriateness of blood transfusion among patients with injuries requiring surgical intervention at presentation to a tertiary hospital in Ghana.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of such patients presenting to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), from January 2015 to December 2016. Patients’ hemoglobin levels at presentation were determined as the first record of hemoglobin after presentation and their receipt of blood transfusion was determined by explicit documentation in the chart. We defined appropriate blood transfusion practice as patients receiving transfusion when hemoglobin was equal or below a threshold, or patients not being transfused when hemoglobin was above the threshold. We considered both restrictive (hemoglobin ≤7 g/dL) and liberal (hemoglobin ≤10 g/dL) transfusion thresholds.ResultsThere were 1,408 patients who presented to KATH with injuries that met inclusion criteria. Two hundred and ninety two (292) patients were excluded because of missing hemoglobin information. Four hundred and fifty eight (458;41%) patients received blood transfusion. Transfused patients had a higher mean age (38 vs 35 years) and were less likely to be male (62% vs 71%). Transfused patients underwent more external fixation procedures (28% vs 19%), trauma amputations (5% vs 1%) and trauma laparotomies (3% vs 1%). At a restrictive transfusion threshold (hemoglobin ≤7 g/dL), 20% of patients who needed a transfusion did not receive one and 39% of patients who did not need a transfusion received one. At a liberal threshold (hemoglobin ≤10 g/dL), 33% of patients who needed a transfusion did not receive one and 30% of patients who did not need a transfusion received one. Blood transfusion practice was inappropriate in 31%–39% of all patients.ConclusionOur data suggest that clearer guidelines for blood transfusion among emergency surgery patients are needed in Ghana and similar LMICs to avoid inappropriate use of blood as a scarce resource.     

Blood transfusion requirements in elective breast reconstruction surgery

IntroductionExcess-ordering of cross-matched blood in preparation for elective surgery is expensive with associated blood shortages and time-expired wastage. Although, the maximum surgical blood order schedule (MSBOS) for breast reconstruction recommends pre-operative cross-match of 2–6 units of red cell concentrate, there is no data confirming whether this guideline is observed in practice or whether compliance results in improved outcome. The aim of this study was to examine the utility of this MSBOS in clinical practice by assessing its performance in a validation set of patients.Materials and MethodsOver a three year period, 49 patients undergoing 50 consecutive elective breast reconstruction surgery were assessed for demographic data, surgical information and hematological/transfusion data to compare the number of units of blood cross-matched with those subsequently transfused for elective breast reconstruction surgery. This was in lieu of updating the current maximal surgical blood order schedule of cross-matching 2–6 units pre-operatively.ResultsFifty elective operations were undertaken during the study period with a zero peri-operative blood transfusion requirement and a 8% post-operative blood transfusion requirement. Pre-operative cross-match to transfusion ratio was unacceptably high with a time-expired blood wastage of 8.7%.DiscussionThese data thus indicate that adoption of a type and screen policy is satisfactory for haemorrhage risk management of elective breast reconstruction. The MSBOS is not designed to predict post-surgery blood needs and a requirement based blood ordering protocol will optimise blood utilisation efficiency.     

Restrictive blood transfusion protocol in malignant upper gastrointestinal and pancreatic resections patients reduces blood transfusions with no increase in patient morbidity

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a restrictive blood transfusion protocol on the number of transfusions performed and the related effect on patient morbidity.

Methods

A cohort study was performed using our prospective database with information from January 1, 2000, to June 1, 2013. The restrictive blood transfusion protocol was implemented in September 2011, so this date served as the separation point for the date of operation criteria.

Results

For the study, 415 patients undergoing operation for an abdominal malignancy were reviewed. After the restrictive blood transfusion protocol, the percentage of patients who received blood dropped from 35.6% to 28.3%. The percentage of patients who experienced perioperative complication was significantly higher in transfused patients compared with those who did not receive blood (P = .0001). There was no statistical significance observed between the 5 groups for the length of stay at the hospital after their procedure.

Conclusions

The restrictive blood transfusion protocol resulted in a reduction of the percentage of patients transfused, and there was no evidence to suggest that it negatively affected the outcomes of patients in this group.     

Oral and intravenous tranexamic acid are equivalent at reducing blood loss following shoulder arthroplasty—A multicenter,double-blinded,randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundTranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to reduce blood loss significantly in shoulder arthroplasty. Oral TXA is significantly cheaper than intravenous TXA, but there has been no published literature comparing oral and intravenous TXA in shoulder arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral versus intravenous TXA in shoulder arthroplasty. We hypothesized that oral and intravenous TXA are equivalent at reducing blood loss following shoulder arthroplasty.MethodsThis study was approved by the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee (HDEC) and registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Patients undergoing elective shoulder arthroplasties were prospectively randomized into one of two groups. In the oral TXA group, 2g of TXA was administered two hours prior to induction of anesthesia, and in the intravenous TXA group, 1.5g of TXA was administered as a bolus following induction of anesthesia. The primary outcome was a reduction in hemoglobin concentration. The secondary outcomes included drain output, number of blood units transfused, length of hospital stay, and complications.ResultsA total of 80 consecutive patients were randomized. The baseline demographics were comparable between the two groups. There was no difference in the primary outcome measure or any of the secondary outcome measures. With regards to the primary outcome measure, using a two one-sided test (TOST) for equivalence, with a P value of < 0.05 demonstrating equivalence, the mean reduction of hemoglobin was 23.30g/L (± 1.62) versus 22.45g/L (± 1.30) for the oral and the intravenous groups, respectively (P < .001). Postoperative drain output was 74.58mLs (± 11.27) versus 90.03mLs (± 14.53) for the oral and the intravenous groups, respectively (P = .41). Furthermore, there was no difference in the number of blood units transfused, length of hospital stay, and complications.DiscussionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in the literature comparing oral and intravenous tranexamic in shoulder arthroplasty, and we found no difference in the efficacy of the two routes of administration. Surgeons should be encouraged to use the less expensive oral form of the medication as a means to minimize overall healthcare expenditure.     

Early transfusion on battlefield before admission to role 2: A preliminary observational study during “Barkhane” operation in Sahel

IntroductionHaemorrage is the leading cause of death after combat related injuries and bleeding management is the cornerstone of management of these casualties. French armed forces are deployed in Barkhane operation in the Sahel-Saharan Strip who represents an immense area. Since this constraint implies evacuation times beyond doctrinal timelines, an institutional decision has been made to deploy blood products on the battlefield and transfuse casualties before role 2 admission if indicated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transfusion practices on battlefield during the first year following the implementation of this policy.Materials and methodsProspective collection of data about combat related casualties categorized alpha evacuated to a role 2. Battlefield transfusion was defined as any transfusion of blood product (red blood cells, plasma, whole blood) performed by role 1 or Medevac team before admission at a role 2. Patients’ characteristics, battlefield transfusions’ characteristics and complications were analysed.ResultsDuring the one year study, a total of 29 alpha casualties were included during the period study. Twenty-eight could be analysed, 7/28 (25%) being transfused on battlefield, representing a total of 22 transfusion episodes. The most frequently blood product transfused was French lyophilized plasma (FLYP). Most of transfusion episodes occurred during medevac. Compared to non-battlefield transfused casualties, battlefield transfused casualties suffered more wounded anatomical regions (median number of 3 versus 2, p = 0.04), had a higher injury severity score (median ISS of 45 versus 25, p = 0,01) and were more often transfused at role 2, received more plasma units and whole blood units. There was no difference in evacuation time to role 2 between patients transfused on battlefield and non-transfused patients. There was no complication related to battlefield transfusions. Blood products transfusion onset on battlefield ranged from 75 min to 192 min after injury.ConclusionBattlefield transfusion for combat-related casualties is a logistical challenge. Our study showed that such a program is feasible even in an extended area as Sahel-Saharan Strip operation theatre and reduces time to first blood product transfusion for alpha casualties. FLYP is the first line blood product on the battlefield.     

Effets du plasma riche en plaquettes sur l'hémostase et le besoin transfusionnel en chirurgie vasculaire

• Objective :To assess the effect of intraoperative autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) transfusion on haemostasis, blood loss and blood requirements during vascular surgery.• Study design :Randomized clinical trial.• Patients :Twenty patients undergoing elective abdominal infrarenal aortic aneurysmectomy, using autologous transfusion techniques (predonation programme and/or preoperative normovolaemic haemodilution and/or intraoperative use of a cell-saver), were randomly allocated either into the PRP group (n = 10) or the Control group (n = 10).• Method :In patients of PRP group, 10 mL·kg⁻¹ of PRP were obtained over 40 to 50 min, prior to induction of anaesthesia, and compensated simultaneously with an equivalent amount of hydroxyethyl starch. Each PRP unit was transfused to its donor after aortic declamping. Blood samples were obtained before induction, before incision, at wound closing and at the end of PRP unit transfusion for determination of biological variables.• Results :The PRP units transfused in the patients of PRP group contained 755 ± 117 mL of plasma with a platelet count of 62 ± 31 G·L⁻¹. The intra and postoperative blood losses were similar in both groups (1622 ± 758 and 233 ± 322 mL respectively in PRP group vs 1890 ± 1331 and 291 ± 303 mL respectively in Control group). In both groups, three patients required an additional transfusion of homologous blood. The results of biological tests (haematocrit, platelet and white cell counts, prothrombine time, aPTT, thrombine time, fibrinogen, D-dimers, proteins, calcium) were also similar between groups at the various times of sampling. The reinfusion of the PRP unit did not increase the platelet count.• Conclusions :This study demonstrates that intraoperative infusion of autologous PRP does not decrease blood loss and homologous transfusion requirements in patients undergoing elective abdominal infrarenal aortic aneurysmectomy. This result can be related to the relatively moderate enrichment in platelets obtained with the centrifugation speed used in this study.