Vox sanguinis
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This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of prehospital parameters, including vital signs and resuscitation (fluids, vasopressor), to predict trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC, fibrinogen <1·5 g/l or PTratio > 1·5 or platelet count <100 × 109 /l), and a massive transfusion (MT, ≥10 RBC units within the first 24 h). ⋯ Prehospital parameters including the SI and resuscitation may help to better identify the severity of bleeding in trauma patients and the need for blood product administration at admission.
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Almost 150 years after the first autologous blood transfusion was reported, intraoperative blood salvage has become an important method of blood conservation. The primary goal of autologous transfusion is to reduce or avoid allogeneic red blood cell transfusion and the associated risks and costs. Autologous salvaged blood does not result in immunological challenge and its consequences, provides a higher quality red blood cell that has not been subjected to the adverse effects of blood storage, and can be more cost-effective than allogeneic blood when used for carefully selected surgical patients. ⋯ Further studies are needed to determine whether oncologic outcomes are impacted by transfusing salvaged blood during cancer surgery. In this new era of patient blood management, where multimodal methods of reducing dependence on allogeneic blood are becoming commonplace, autologous blood salvage remains a valuable tool for perioperative blood conservation. Future studies will be needed to best determine how and when cell salvage should be utilized along with newer blood conservation measures.