Autologous blood donation in cardiac surgery: reduction of allogeneic blood transfusion and cost-effectiveness

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess transfusion requirements in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with and without autologous blood donation and to calculate the costs of predonation from the hospital perspective. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Single university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand three hundred twenty-five patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with and without autologous blood donation. INTERVENTIONS: Eight hundred forty-nine patients (20%) underwent autologous blood donation, whereas 3,476 (80%) did not. Perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion was recorded as the primary endpoint. To avoid selection bias, patients were stratified according to their preoperative risk score. A decision model was derived from acquired data for the optimization of autologous blood donation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Allogeneic blood transfusion rate was 13% in patients with predonation versus 48% without predonation (p < 0.05). This difference remained statistically significant even after risk stratification. The predonation of 1, 2, or 3 units reduced the probability of receiving allogeneic blood to 24%, 14%, and 9%, respectively. An efficient program of predonation within the department of anesthesiology allowed keeping the costs of predonation low. Decision-tree analysis revealed that predonation of 2 autologous units of blood saved the most allogeneic blood for the smallest increase in costs. Incremental cost for male patients predonating 2 units was dollars 33 (US), whereas for females predonation could be done at no extra cost in comparison to patients without predonation. CONCLUSION: Autologous blood donation significantly reduces allogeneic blood requirement in cardiac surgery. If adjusted for diagnosis and gender, autologous blood donation is a cost-effective alternative to reduce allogeneic blood consumption.     

Präoperative Eigenblutspende in der Herzchirurgie

BACKGROUND: Preoperative autologous blood donation is an effective method to reduce allogeneic transfusion requirement. However, this method is only rarely utilized in cardiac surgery. Besides economic concerns one essential argument against predonation is the lack of sufficient time due to the short waiting lists. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of autologous predonation to reduce allogeneic blood transfusion in routine cardiac surgery on a center without longer preoperative waiting lists. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 2,626 cardiac surgery patients were included. Primary endpoint of the study was the perioperative incidence of allogeneic packed cell transfusion. If time between diagnosis and admission to the hospital was >10 days, predonation was offered to the patients. Data were stratified for preoperative risk score. Logistic and linear regression analysis tested the influence of different variables on the incidence of allogeneic blood transfusion and the total amount of allogeneic blood. RESULTS: Of all patients 267 (11.2%) underwent predonation. The incidence of allogeneic packed cell transfusion was reduced from 53% to 19% by autologous predonation (p<0.001). The total amount of allogeneic blood transfused was significantly different between the groups (2.2+/-4.2 vs. 0.84+/-6.3 units; p<0.001). DISCUSSION: Autologous predonation in cardiac surgery was effective in reducing blood transfusions even in the absence of longer preoperative waiting times. It is a safe and effective method to minimize blood transfusion in cardiac surgery.     

Preoperative autologous blood donation with cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND: Preoperative autologous blood donation is commonly used to reduce exposure to homologous blood transfusions among patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how much volume of predonated autologous blood need to avoid of homologous blood transfusion in cardiac procedure. METHODS: One hundred twenty-eight patients underwent scheduled cardiac procedure between January 1998 and December 1999. Group 1: 400 ml predonated, operation without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) [n = 33], group 2: 800 ml predonated, operation without CPB (n = 23), group 3: 800 ml predonated, operation with CPB (n = 36), group 4: 1,200 ml predonated, operation with CPB (n = 36). Surgical procedures underwent only off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in groups 1 and 2. In groups 3 and 4 included coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacement, CABG + valve replacement and atrial septal defect repair. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mean body weight, mean preoperative hematocrit values or mean volume of intraoperative blood loss between groups 1 and 2. There were no significant differences in mean age, mean body weight, mean preoperative and postoperative day-7 hematocrit values, mean volume of intraoperative blood loss or mean CPB time between groups 3 and 4. The mean postoperative day-7 hematocrit value was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2. Homologous blood transfusion was avoided in 63.6% of those with predonation of group 1 versus 100% at group 2 (p < 0.05), 86.1% at group 3 versus 94.4% at group 4 (p < 0.05). In group 3, all patients who underwent redo operation or CABG + valve replacement needed homologous blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous blood transfusion is effective for reducing the homologous blood requirement. It also seems that predonation of 800 ml may be sufficient to avoid homologous blood transfusion in cardiac surgery, however predonation of 1,200 ml is desirable in cases of redo operation or CABG + valve replacement.     

Intraoperativer Fremdblutverbrauch und Eigenbluttransfusion in der Kardioanästhesie Datenanalyse von 7729 Patienten aus 12 herzchirurgischen Kliniken

Allogeneic blood requirement in cardiac surgery shows a wide variation even for comparable procedures. The aim of the present study was to compare the intraoperative allogeneic blood requirement in defined cardiac operations among 12 cardiac centers in Germany. Method: A data set with 25 variables concerning the intraoperative course in adult cardiac patients with myocardial revascularization, valve replacement (aortic or/and mitral valve) or combined procedures was distributed to the participating centers. The data of all patients between January 1^th 1998 and June 30^th 1998 were included. Besides demographic data, the intraoperative transfusion of allogeneic and autologous blood, fresh frozen plasma and the concomitant hematocrit values were registered. Data were analyzed for all centers and separated for each center. Results: The data of 7.729 patients were analyzed. The intraoperative allogeneic blood requirement was 0.6±1.3 units for all patients. It varied among the centers from 0.25±0.6 units to 0.97±1.6 units (P<0.05). The percentage of patients receiving allogeneic blood was 27% and differed among the centers from 17% to 35%. Female patients were transfused in 53% (36–39%) compared to male patients with 16% (9–20%) (P<0.05). The rate of autologous blood predonation varied from 0.5% to 23%. Patients without autologous predonation were transfused in 28% compared to 4% in patients with predonation (P<0.05). In patients with autologous predonation the intraoperative transfusion of allogeneic blood was significantly reduced (0.1±0.39 vs 0.6±1.4 units, P<0.05). However, some centers with a high percentage of autologous predonation also demonstrated a high rate of perioperative allogeneic transfusion. Conclusion: The incidence of allogeneic blood transfusion in cardiac surgery depends on the institution and not on the surgical procedure. A common threshold value of hemoglobin for the transfusion of blood trigger even for comparable procedures could not be detected among the centers. Especially in female patients, there was a wide variation in allogeneic blood transfusion. Autologous blood predonation reduces blood requirement significantly, however, it is practiced with variing intensity. The data set did not include information about transfusion regimen in the postoperative period, thus, these data do not allow to draw conclusions for the whole perioperative period.     

A simple mathematical approach to calculate blood loss in radical prostatectomy

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to apply a simple mathematical approach to calculate blood loss in 126 patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Perioperative red blood cell loss (RBCL) was estimated by adding the difference in circulating red blood cells from before to after surgery to the allogeneic red blood cells transfused in the same period. RESULTS: Mean preoperative hematocrit was 45 +/- 4% and mean perioperative RBCL was 574 +/- 297 ml, corresponding to a mean equivalent whole blood loss (WBL) of 1,479 +/- 831 ml. Twenty of 126 patients (15.9%) received 42 units of allogeneic packed red blood cells (PRBC), for a mean of 2.1 +/- 1.2 U/patient. The transfusion rate was higher in patients with a preoperative hematocrit of 40% or less (45 vs. 13%, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical RRP is still associated with appreciable operative blood loss. Owing to the high preoperative hematocrit values, the allogeneic blood transfusion rate is low and the transfusion requirement of the majority of patients is limited to about 2 units of PRBC. Preoperative autologous blood augmentation strategies may not be routinely needed for patients with a basal hematocrit of >40%.     

Preoperative autologous blood donation in patients undergoing open heart surgery

We examined the possibility to avoid the homologous blood transfusion in patients undergoing open heart surgery by predonation of 200 ml or 400 ml on the day before operation. Between March 1999 and December 2001, 117 patients underwent scheduled open heart surgery. In these patients, preoperatively collected autologous blood on the day before operation amounted 200 ml or 400 ml. We divided these patients into 3 groups according to the necessity of homologous blood, no transfusion (group A, n = 77), intraoperative transfusion (group B 1, n-29) and postoperative transfusion (group B 2, n = 11). In 65.8% of patients the homologous blood transfusion could be avoided. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors were compared in the 3 groups. Especially, old age, female, body weight and preoperative hemoglobin value were significantly different between 3 groups. Postoperative Svo2 and postoperative hemoglobin value were significantly different between 3 groups. The purpose of this study was to evaluate that the predonation of 200 ml or 400 ml on the day before operation may be to avoid the homologous blood transfusion and that preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors in regard to homologous blood transfusion.     

Predictors of transfusion requirements for cardiac surgical procedures at a blood conservation center

BACKGROUND: Previous studies defining perioperative risk factors for allogeneic transfusion requirements in cardiac surgery were limited to highly selected cardiac surgery populations or were associated with high transfusion rates. The purpose of this study was to determine perioperative risk factors and create a formula to predict transfusion requirements for major cardiac surgical procedures in a center that practices a multimodality approach to blood conservation. METHODS: We performed an observational study on 307 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, valve, and combined (coronary artery bypass grafting and valve) procedures. An equation was derived to estimate the risk of transfusion based on preoperative risk factors using multivariate analysis. In patients with a calculated probability of transfusion of at least 5%, intraoperative predictors of transfusion were identified by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (11%) required intraoperative or postoperative allogeneic transfusions. Preoperative factors as independent predictors for transfusions included red blood cell mass, type of operation, urgency of operation, number of diseased vessels, serum creatinine of at least 1.3 mg/dL, and preoperative prothrombin time. Intraoperative factors included cardiopulmonary bypass time, three or fewer bypass grafts, lesser volume of acute normovolemic hemodilution removed, and total crystalloid infusion of at least 2,500 mL. The derived formula was applied to a validation cohort of 246 patients, and the observed transfusion rates conformed well to the predicted risks. CONCLUSIONS: A multimodality approach to blood conservation in cardiac surgery resulted in a low transfusion rate. Identifying patients' risks for transfusion should alter patient management perioperatively to decrease their transfusion rate and make more efficient use of blood resources.     

Predonation and transfusion in open heart surgery]

The efficacy of predonation of autologous blood in reducing the use homologous blood during open heart surgery was investigated. Between January 1997, and February 1998, predonation and transfusion was studied in 100 consecutive open heart operations (CABG, 77; valve surgery, 17; ASD, 5; myxoma, 1). The guidelines for autologous predonation were as follows: an age < 70 years, a weight > 40 kg and a hemoglobin > 12 g/dl. Patients in NYHA class IV or undergoing emergency operation were excluded. The blood loss during operation ranged from 195 to 1,850 ml (mean; 670 ml), being from 305 to 1,850 ml (723 ml) for CABG, from 260 to 1,020 ml (493.5 ml) for valve surgery and from 195 to 570 ml (342 ml) for ASD. The blood loss was not significantly dependent on sex or age and did not differ elective and emergent operations. Only 36.6% of patients with autologous predonation needed homologous transfusion versus 63.4% of those without predonation. Homologous transfusion was done in only 5% of the those with predonation of 800 ml versus 69% at 400 ml and 71% at 200 ml. In conclusion, autologous blood transfusion is effective for reducing the homologous blood requirement. It also seems that predonation of 800 ml may be sufficient to allow open heart surgery without blood transfusion.     

Safety and efficacy of autologous blood donation before elective off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND: Preoperative autologous blood donation reduces exposure to homologous blood transfusions in cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to ascertain, how much volume of predonated autologous blood needed to avoid of homologous blood transfusion in scheduled off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). METHOD: Fifty patients underwent scheduled OPCAB. These patients donated 400 ml (group A, n = 30) or 800 ml (group B, n = 20) of autologous blood before operation. These patients donated at a rate of 400 ml per week. All patients were given an equal volume of saline solution at the time of autologous donation. RESULT: There were no significant differences mean age, mean body weight, mean preoperative hematocrit values, mean graft number or mean volume of intraoperative blood loss between groups A and B. There was significant difference the mean postoperative day-7 hematocrit value (33.4 +/- 1.5% vs 38.7 +/- 1.5%, p < 0.05). The rates of avoiding homologous blood transfusion were 63.3% in group A and 100% in group B (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Autologous blood transfusion was effective for reducing the homologous blood requirement. We believe that 800 ml predonation is sufficient to avoid homologous blood transfusion in scheduled OPCAB, further patients with cardiovascular disease including severe coronary artery should be donated with the administration of saline.     

Preoperative autologous blood donation in elderly patients with cardiovascular surgery

BACKGROUND: During the cardiovascular surgeries in elderly people, only a few cases can avoid the homologous blood transfusion, because of their preoperative anemic tendency and low hemopoietic abilities. We examined the capability to avoid the homologous blood transfusion in over 75 year old patients by the preoperative autologous blood collection. Sixty-six patients underwent scheduled cardiovascular surgery between January 1996 and December 1999. The groups were divided into three categories of preoperatively collected autologous blood amounts: high-amount (800-1,200 ml), medium-amount (200-800 ml), and low-amount (0 ml). Each group was divided into two subgroups in according to the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). There were no differences among the each group in age, body weight, or preoperative and postoperative day-7 hematocrit values. RESULTS: Only 21.2% of patients could donate the expected blood amounts preoperatively. Mean volume was 641 ml. In groups used CPB, no patient was transfused homologous blood in high-amount group. On the contrary, 100% patients were donated in medium and low amount groups. In groups operated without CPB, homologous blood transfusion was required 14.3% in high-amount group, 25.0% in medium-amount group, and 83.3% in low-amount group. CONCLUSION: It seems that predonation of more than 800 ml may be sufficient to avoid the homologous blood transfusion in using CPB operation and more than 400 ml in non using CPB operation.     

Predicting need for allogeneic transfusion after total knee arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can lead to substantial blood loss. To avoid the high costs of autologous blood predonation programs and efficiently allocate limited blood resources, we sought to identify preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with allogeneic blood transfusion (AllTx) after primary TKA and, subsequently, develop a model to predict patients who will require AllTx. We analyzed 31 independent variables in 644 primary unilateral TKAs without autologous blood predonation for requirement of AllTx. Seventy-one procedures (11.0%) required AllTx. Age, comorbid anemia, preoperative hemoglobin concentration, and surgical time were significant predictors for requiring AllTx. When applied to an independent cohort, our model for predicting the need for AllTx after TKA was 90% sensitive and 52.5% specific.     

Relative cost of autologous red cell salvage versus allogeneic red cell transfusion during abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

The costs of washed autologous red cell concentrate obtained by intraoperative red cell salvage were compared to the costs of allogeneic packed red cell transfusion during 110 consecutive abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs. The mean volume of scavenged blood during elective procedures was 1350 ml (range 350 to 6675 ml, n = 90) and emergency procedures 2750 ml (range 750 to 9400 ml, n = 20). The mean volume of processed (washed) blood returned during elective repairs was 759 ml (range 150 to 2900 ml, n = 51) and emergency repairs 1117 ml (range 0 to 4100 ml, n = 20). During elective repairs, the cost of routine autologous red cell salvage ($151 per 285 ml unit) was only slightly greater than the estimated cost of cross-matched, leucocyte-reduced, allogeneic blood ($143 per 285 ml unit). During emergency repairs, washed autologous red cells ($83 per 285 ml unit) were less expensive than allogeneic packed red cells. These findings indicate that, compared with the use of allogeneic packed red cells, red cell salvage during emergency abdominal aortic aneurysm repair can be justified on an economic basis alone, and that routine red cell salvage during elective repair can achieve the benefits of autologous blood at little extra cost to the community.     

Preoperative autologous donation versus cell salvage in the avoidance of allogeneic transfusion in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy

There are many methods for preventing allogeneic blood administration during radical retropubic prostatectomy, and many of these methods have been compared with each other, but no studies have compared preoperative autologous donation (PAD) and cell salvage (CS). In this study, we evaluated these two methods in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy. In a prospective cohort model, allogeneic exposure in patients from one surgeon who routinely had his patients donate blood before surgery was compared with that in patients from a different surgeon who predominantly used CS. Fifty patients were enrolled in the study: 26 in the PAD group and 24 in the CS group. No difference in allogeneic exposure was seen between the two groups. A significant difference was seen in the volume of red blood cells lost (891 +/- 298 mL versus 1134 +/- 358 mL in the PAD and CS groups, respectively). We conclude that PAD and CS are equivalent in their ability to avoid allogeneic transfusion. Larger surgical blood loss in the CS group would suggest that in a more rigorously designed study, CS might provide better allogeneic avoidance than PAD. IMPLICATIONS: In this prospective cohort study, cell salvage and preoperative autologous donation were compared with respect to their ability to avoid allogeneic transfusion. There was a suggestion that cell salvage might offer better allogeneic transfusion avoidance.     

Preoperative autologous donation of blood in cardiac surgery —Age related factors—

We have studied influence of the age related factors on preoperative autologous donation (PAD) of blood in cardic surgery. PAD was undertaken in 246 cases of elective cardiac surgery by means of simple or leap-frog method, starting at approximately 4.5 weeks before operation. It provided 1726 ml of autologous blood storage on the average. Sorting the patients into three groups with age, leading surgical procedures were as follows: closure of the atrial septal defect (ASD) in teen-30s (group L, n=51), aortic valve replacement (AVR) or mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 40s–50s (group M, n=83) and 60s and over (group H, n = 112). Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was more common in group H. Percent-freedom from allogeneic blood transfusion was 82.3% in group L, 80.7% in group M and 61.6% in group H, respectively (p<0.05; L, M vs. H). donated blood volume in group H was significantly less than that of group M (p<0.05, M: 1987 ± 63, H: 1610 ± 60 ml), because blood volume and hemoglobin level before donation tended to be less in group H. Each group did not differ in blood loss during and after operation, which showed a significant positive correlation with operation time and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time. Comparing factors in ASD, CPB time was relatively long, and postoperative blood loss was significantly larger in group H (p<0.05; L: 432 ± 71 ml, M: 369 ± 34 ml, H: 754 ± 124 ml). This finding suggests that the secondary lesions in agd ASD cases adversely affected hemostasis. As to AVR, MVR and CABG, there were no differences in these factors but donated blood volume among three groups. We conclude that elderly patient (60s and over) tends to necessitate allogeneic blood transfusion in cardiac surgery because of the insufficient PAD. Earlier commencement of PAD or concomitant application of erythropoietin will improve this situation.     

Platelet-rich plasma sequestration, with therapeutic platelet yields, reduces allogeneic transfusion in complex cardiac surgery

Platelet dysfunction is the most common cause of nonsurgical bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We hypothesized that reinfusion of a therapeutic quantity of platelets sequestered before CPB would decrease the need for allogeneic platelet transfusion, as well as decrease bleeding and total allogeneic transfusion, in cardiac surgery patients at moderately high risk for bleeding. Fifty-five patients undergoing either reoperative coronary artery bypass (CABG) or combined CABG and valve replacement were randomized to control or platelet-rich plasma sequestration (pheresis) groups. All patients received intraoperative epsilon-aminocaproic acid infusions. There was no significant difference between groups with respect to preoperative characteristics, duration of CPB, or target postoperative hematocrit. Mean platelet yields were 6.2 +/- 2.1 units (3.1 x 10(11) platelets). Mean pheresis time was 44 min. Allogeneic platelets (range = 6-12 units) were transfused to 28% of control patients, compared with 0% of pheresis patients (P < 0.01). Allogeneic packed red blood cells were transfused to 45% of control patients (1.2 units per patient) versus 31% of pheresis patients (0. 7 unit per patient) (P = 0.35). Total allogeneic units transfused were significantly reduced in the pheresis group (P < 0.02). Mediastinal chest tube drainage was not significantly decreased in the pheresis group. In this prospective, randomized study, therapeutic platelet yields were obtained before CPB. In contrast with recent studies with low platelet yields, these data support the conclusion that platelet-rich plasma sequestration is effective in reducing allogeneic platelet transfusions and total allogeneic units transfused in cardiac surgery patients at moderately high risk for post-CPB coagulopathy and bleeding. IMPLICATIONS: Transfusion of allogeneic blood products, including platelets, is common during complex cardiac surgical procedures. In the present prospective, randomized study, a significant reduction in allogeneic platelet transfusion and total allogeneic units transfused was observed after the reinfusion of a therapeutic quantity of autologous platelets sequestered before cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Predictors of blood transfusions in spinal instrumentation and fusion surgery

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of 244 adult spine instrumentation and fusion surgery cases (1994-1995) from one institution. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the predictors of blood transfusions for adult patients undergoing different types of multilevel spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Blood loss and transfusion requirements during and after multilevel spine surgeries have always been perceived as great. Identifying the predictors of blood transfusion with this type of surgery may aid in reducing the amount of blood loss and the transfusion requirements. METHODS: The charts of 244 adult patients who underwent multilevel spine surgery from January 1994 to July 1995 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A large percentage of patients required blood transfusion. The significant determinants for increased amounts of allogeneic red blood cell units transfused on the day of surgery using linear multiple regression modeling were low preoperative hemoglobin concentration, tumor surgery, increased number of posterior levels surgically fused, history of pulmonary disease, decreased amount of autologous blood available, and no use of the Jackson table (R2 = 0. 63). The significant determinants for an increased amount of autologous red blood cell units transfused on the day of surgery using linear multiple regression modeling were increased autologous red blood cells available, low preoperative hemoglobin concentration, and increased number of posterior levels surgically fused (R2 = 0. 60). CONCLUSION: The need for transfusion is associated with multiple factors, suggesting that a multifaceted, integrated approach may be necessary to reduce this risk.     

Intraoperative cell salvage in infants undergoing elective cardiac surgery: a prospective trial

BACKGROUND: For a long time intraoperative cell salvage was considered not to be applicable in paediatric patients due to technical limitations. Recently, new autotransfusion devices with small volume centrifugal bowls and dedicated paediatric systems allow efficient blood salvage in small children. The purpose of this prospective non-randomised study was to determine the impact of intraoperative cell salvage on postoperative allogeneic blood products transfusion in infant patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Two consecutive cohorts (122 patients) were studied. The first cohort underwent procedures between January 2004 and July 2005 with only blood salvage from the residual volume. The second cohort consisted of patients operated on from August 2005 to December 2006, with additional use of intraoperative cell salvage. The following variables were analysed: peri- and postoperative blood loss, transfusion of homologous blood products and cell salvage product, haematological and coagulation data, measured before, during and after the operation. RESULTS: Additional intraoperative cell salvage significantly enhanced the amount of cell saving product available for transfusion (183+/-56 ml vs 152+/-57 ml, p=0.003) and significantly more patients in this group received the cell saving product postoperatively. Consequently, allogeneic blood transfusion was significantly reduced in volume as well as in frequency. We did not observe any adverse effects of intraoperative cell salvage. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative cell salvage, employed as an adjuvant technique to the residual volume salvage in infants undergoing first time cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, was a safe and effective method to reduce postoperative allogeneic blood transfusion. Considering current cell salvage related expense and the cost reduction achieved by diminished allogeneic transfusion, intraoperative cell salvage in infants demonstrated no economic benefit.     

Intraoperative autologous blood salvage with cardiac surgery: an analysis of five years' experience in more than 3,000 patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyze intraoperative autologous salvage of shed mediastinal blood and subsequent transfusion in cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective statistical analysis. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Three thousand twenty two patients undergoing cardiac surgery from 1984 to 1988. INTERVENTIONS: A review of anesthesia and transfusion records of all patients who underwent intraoperative salvage of shed blood and autologous transfusion using the Sorenson Receptal Auto Transfusion System (ATS) with saline wash prior to reinfusion in cardiac surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The salvaged blood volume ranged from 36 to 2,795 ml, with a mean of 321 +/- 222 ml (SD). Eighteen percent of patients did not receive any homologous blood products during their hospitalization. Patients who received only salvaged autologous transfusion were younger, had higher preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values, had a larger body surface area, and had shorter surgeries compared with patients who received only homologous blood or both autologous and homologous blood. More blood products were given to patients who received salvaged autologous blood compared with those who did not. Patients who underwent normovolemic hemodilution prior to extracorporeal circulation with subsequent reinfusion received significantly fewer blood products. Ten preoperative and four intraoperative variables significantly influenced the salvaged volume. Previous cardiac surgery was the most significant preoperative variable, and repair of ventricular septal defect produced by myocardial ischemia was the most significant intraoperative variable. CONCLUSION: Considering the average salvaged volume and its current autologous transfusion-related expense, autologous blood salvage is potentially an economic benefit. Perioperative blood conservation requires a considerable commitment from surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and intensive care physicians to be effective.     

预存自体输血在全髋关节置换手术中的应用

目的：探讨全髋关节置换手术减少异体输血的措施，介绍一种较理想的自体输血方法。方法：自1997年12月－2001年1月，对80例全髋关节置换手术患者进行了预存自体输血。采血前、后前4d检测血红蛋白（HGB），红细胞（RBC），红细胞压积（HCT），结果：预存自体血23700ml,平均409ml，58例（72．5％）患者无需异体输血顺利度过围手术期，22例（27．5％）患者补充异体输血7392ml，平均336ml，而同期未做预存自体输血者输异体血69741ml，平均567ml，没有发生与预存自体输血相关的并发症。结论：预存自体输血简便，经济、安全、有效，全髋关节置换手术患者基本上依靠预存自体输血能安全度过围手术期。     

Verfahren zur Reduktion von Fremdbluttransfusionen in der operativen Medizin

For ethical and socio-economical reasons (cost-explosion in transfusion-medicine, patient’s individual destiny), devepolment and consistent application of allogeneic transfusion sparing techniques in surgery is a chal- lenge to anesthesiologists, surgeons and blood-bankers. The combination of different techniques, i.e. autologous predonation, hemodilution, choice of anesthetic regimen, deliberate hypotension, application of anti-fibrinolytic agents and autotransfusion of intraoperatively saved blood allow for avoidance of allogeneic blood transfusion even in patients presenting important intraoperative hemorrhage. The present article summarizes (1) risks associated with transfusion of allogeneic blood, (2) actually applied pre- and intraoperative techniques to reduce transfusion of allogeneic blood and (3) new concepts (administration of erythropoietin, hyperoxic ventilation and administration of artificial oxygen carries) to further increase the efficacy of autologous predonation and preoperative normovolemic hemodilution.