Abstract
Every day, cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists and intensivists ponder the dilemma of whether or not to perform a
blood transfusion on their patients. Transfusion practice in the United States varies widely, with several studies showing a 10-92% range for perioperative transfusion in cardiac surgical patients. These results may reflect a longstanding threshold of 10/30 (hemoglobin of 10g/dl and hematocrit of 30%) to initiate a transfusion in surgical patients. In fact, cardiac surgery cases account for approximately 10-20% of all blood transfusions, while a small sub-group of high-risk patients (10-20%) consume the other 80% of this scarce resource. In general, blood transfusion to treat moderate anemia is not looked upon as a major intervention with significant consequences, especially since immediate adverse side effects may not be apparent.
blood transfusion on their patients. Transfusion practice in the United States varies widely, with several studies showing a 10-92% range for perioperative transfusion in cardiac surgical patients. These results may reflect a longstanding threshold of 10/30 (hemoglobin of 10g/dl and hematocrit of 30%) to initiate a transfusion in surgical patients. In fact, cardiac surgery cases account for approximately 10-20% of all blood transfusions, while a small sub-group of high-risk patients (10-20%) consume the other 80% of this scarce resource. In general, blood transfusion to treat moderate anemia is not looked upon as a major intervention with significant consequences, especially since immediate adverse side effects may not be apparent.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 10-12 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Methodist DeBakey cardiovascular journal |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2007 |