Vox sanguinis
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Rationalizing blood transfusion in cardiac surgery: preliminary findings with a red cell volume-based model.
Cardiac surgery, utilizing extracorporeal circulation, is associated with a heavy fluid load that may significantly depress haemoglobin concentration. Thus, considering haemoglobin alone may be an inaccurate method of replacing red cell volume loss. This study was designed to examine the impact on red cell transfusion of a red cell volume-based guideline. ⋯ Considering haemoglobin concentration alone may significantly overestimate the requirement for red cell transfusion in elective cardiac surgery patients.