Blood transfusion and postoperative infection in orthopedic patients

Adverse effects of the transfusion of homologous blood on tumor recurrence and resistance to bacterial infection have been reported previously, but the findings are inconclusive. A retrospective review of patients undergoing orthopedic surgery was conducted, and the rate of the postoperative infectious complications was compared among those receiving homologous blood, autologous blood, both types, or no transfusion support. An overall postoperative infection rate of 6.1 percent was observed: 6.9 percent among persons receiving homologous blood, 5.0 percent among those receiving autologous blood, 11.9 percent among those receiving both homologous and autologous blood, and 4.9 percent among those not receiving transfusions (p = 0.37). Among patients receiving homologous blood, a subset of 15 patients received homologous whole blood and had an infection rate of 20 percent. Significant predictors of postoperative infection included increasing age, spinal surgery, high admission hematocrit, and greater time in surgery. Of factors relating to transfusion, only the use of homologous whole blood was a significant predictor of postoperative infection, which suggests a detrimental effect of homologous plasma. It can be concluded that, in this group of patients undergoing relatively nontraumatic surgery, several variables that are not related to transfusion, as well as the use of homologous whole blood, were significant predictors of postoperative infection.     

The Canadian Hemophilia Registry as the basis for a national system for monitoring the use of factor concentrates

BACKGROUND: Canada's publicly funded blood system has recently introduced high-purity concentrates as the standard treatment for individuals with hemophilia. The added cost and the need to document patient outcomes have prompted the consideration of a national blood product monitoring system. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study investigates the suitability of the Canadian Hemophilia Registry (CHR) as the basis of such a monitoring system by assessing the degree to which it represents users of factor concentrates. RESULTS: Currently, there are 1978 individuals registered with the CHR, of whom 1594 (81%) have hemophilia A and 384 (19%) have hemophilia B. The total prevalence is 7.2 per 10(5) population, with the prevalence of severe cases being 2.3 per 10(5). This overall prevalence is similar to that seen in other countries with national registries. The CHR national prevalence also compares favorably with that in the province of Quebec, where registration of users of blood products is compulsory. The CHR figures indicate that the number of persons currently infected with human immunodeficiency virus, both alive and dead, is 652, which is similar to the number of applicants (658) to the federal government's assistance program. The registry is stable, and the number of persons with severe cases, other than young children, newly registered or lost to follow-up during the last 2 years is very small. CONCLUSION: The CHR includes the vast majority of factor concentrate users and is therefore ideal as the basis for a national monitoring system.