NYMC Faculty Publications
Journal Title
European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
First Page
1074
Last Page
1079
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2017
Department
Surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The limitation of alternative transfusion practices in infants increases the benefits of blood conservation. We analyzed the efficacy of a structured program to reduce transfusions and transfusion-associated complications in cardiac surgery
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our pediatric surgery database was reviewed retrospectively, comparing outcomes from two different time periods, after the implementation of an effective blood conservation program beginning in March 2014. A total of 214 infants (8.1±3.4 months) who underwent biventricular repair utilizing CPB (Group 1 – Blood conservation) were studied in a 12-month period (March 2014-February 2015) after the implementation of the new program, and compared with 250 infants (7.91±3.2 months) (Group 2 – Control-No blood conservation) of the previous 12 – month period (March 2013-February 2014).
RESULTS: The proportion of patients transfused with red blood cells was 75.2% (N=188) in control group and reduced by 16.4% in the study group (58.8% – 126 patients, p
CONCLUSIONS: These findings, in addition to attendant risks and side effects of blood transfusion and the rising cost of safer blood products, justify blood conservation in pediatric cardiac operations. Circuit miniaturization, ultrafiltration, and reduced postoperative bleeding, presumably secondary to higher fibrinogen and other coagulation factor levels, contributed to this outcome.
Recommended Citation
Budak, A., McCusker, K., & Gunaydin, S. (2017). A Structured Blood Conservation Program in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 21 (5), 1074-1079. Retrieved from https://touroscholar.touro.edu/nymc_fac_pubs/802
Publisher's Statement
Originally published in European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 21 (5), 1074-1079. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/12329