Vox sanguinis
-
Although we still do not know enough about the influence of anaemia and transfusion on outcomes for the surgical patient, it is possible to develop a general consensus about many aspects of management. A quality programme to improve consistency of practice in these consensus areas is feasible. (Table 6) This should be linked with further randomised trials to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of alternative regimes.
-
Comparative Study
Immunomodulating effect of blood transfusion: is storage time important?
TNF-alpha and IL-2 are important cytokines in macrophage and T-lymphocyte activity against infection and dissemination of malignant cells. We studied the influence of supernatants from stored whole blood and buffy-coat-depleted SAGM (saline, adenine, glucose and mannitol) blood in stimulating TNF-alpha and IL-2 release in an ex vivo assay. ⋯ Recipient cytokine release induced by blood transfusion seems to be dependent on storage time. This may have implications in transfusion-induced immune modulation.
-
Multicenter Study
Transfusion practices in primary total joint replacements in Finland.
A multicenter survey was carried out in 11 Finnish hospitals to determine the prevailing transfusion practices in orthopedic surgery. ⋯ The use of RBCs in orthopedic surgery was generous compared with reports from other European countries and the US. Each hospital's individual transfusion policy seemed to be a strong determinant of allogeneic blood use.
-
Treatment of massive blood loss has experienced major changes during the recent decade. The transition towards pure component therapy has been the most significant issue, which has compelled the clinician to revise some of their basic strategies in treatment of massively bleeding patients. The importance of adequate volume resuscitation with crystalloids and colloids is still unrefutable, but the therapy of hemorrhagic derangements has changed. ⋯ Hypofibrinogenemia develops first followed by other coagulation factor deficits and later by thrombocytopenia. Therefore the use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is the primary intervention to treat abnormal bleeding encountered in the replacement of massive blood loss with RC. As the development of thrombocytopenia is a highly individual phenomenon, the transfusion of platelets should be guided by repeatedly determined platelet counts.
-
To determine the cause of hypotensive reactions associated with platelet transfusions in coronary artery bypass surgery patients. ⋯ Preliminary findings suggest a new type of transfusion reaction associated with the use of negatively charged leukocyte reduction filters during platelet transfusions to patients on ACE inhibitors.