Transfus Med Hemoth
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Transfus Med Hemoth · Mar 2015
ReviewEvidence base for restrictive transfusion triggers in high-risk patients.
Liberal versus restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion triggers have been debated for years. This review illustrates the human body's physiologic response to acute anemia and summarizes the evidence from prospective randomized trials (RCTs) for restrictive use of RBC transfusions in high-risk patients. During progressive anemia, the human body maintains the oxygen delivery to the tissues by an increase in cardiac output and peripheral oxygen extraction. Seven RCTs with a total of 5,566 high-risk patients compared a restrictive hemoglobin (Hb) transfusion trigger (Hb < 70 or < 80 g/l) with a liberal Hb transfusion trigger (Hb < 90 or < 100 g/l). Unanimously these studies show non-inferiority, safety, and a significant reduction in RBC transfusions in the restrictive groups. In one RCT mortality was higher in the liberal Hb transfusion group, and in two additional RCTs mortality of subgroups or after risk adjustment was significantly higher in the liberal Hb transfusion trigger groups. ⋯ Strong RCT evidence suggests the safety of restrictive transfusion triggers. As a consequence, an Hb transfusion trigger of <70 g/l is recommended for high risk patients.
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Transfus Med Hemoth · Mar 2015
ReviewPoint of care and factor concentrate-based coagulation algorithms.
In the last years it has become evident that the use of blood products should be reduced whenever possible. There is increasing evidence regarding serious adverse events, including higher mortality and morbidity, related to transfusions. The use of point of care (POC) devices integrated in algorithms is one of the important mechanisms to limit blood product exposure. ⋯ The use of factor concentrates compared to the classical blood products can be cost-saving, beneficial for the patient, and in agreement with the WHO-requested standard of care. The empiric and uncontrolled use of blood products such as fresh frozen plasma, red blood cells, and platelets without POC monitoring should no longer be followed with regard to actual evidence in literature. Furthermore, the use of factor concentrates may provide better outcomes and potential for cost saving.
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During storage, red blood cells intended for transfusion undergo progressive changes affecting survival and function. Some of these in vitro changes are partly restored in vivo after transfusion, and their clinical effects are largely unknown. We evaluated publications of clinical studies comparing storage times in connection with red blood cell transfusion using physiological or clinical outcomes. ⋯ The use of different red blood cell products further obscures the issue. Available studies provide no evidence that longer stored red cells are more harmful than younger red cells. However, such an effect may occur under extreme clinical conditions of severe anaemia or septicaemia, but this can only be answered by randomised studies controlling for confounding factors.