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Review
. 2014 Sep;58(5):616-21.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.144669.

Blood transfusion practices in cardiac anaesthesia

Hanumantha Rao Mangu  1 , Aloka Samantaray  1 , Muralidhar Anakapalli  1
Affiliations
Review

Blood transfusion practices in cardiac anaesthesia

Hanumantha Rao Mangu et al. Indian J Anaesth. 2014 Sep.

Abstract

The primary reasons for blood transfusion in cardiac surgery are to correct anaemia and to improve tissue oxygen delivery. However, there is a considerable debate regarding the actual transfusion trigger at which the benefits of transfusion overweight the risk. The association between extreme haemodilution, transfusion and adverse outcome after cardio pulmonary bypass (CPB) is not clear and the current available literature is not sufficient to provide a strong recommendation regarding the safe haematocrit range during CPB. There is no quality evidence to support use of fresh red blood cell except during massive transfusion or exchange transfusion in neonate. Overall concern regarding the safety of allogeneic blood transfusion resulted in the search for autologous blood transfusion and perioperative blood salvage. The aim of this review is to provide cardiac surgery specific clinically useful guidelines pertaining to transfusion triggers, optimal haemodilution during CPB, autologous blood transfusion and role of perioperative blood salvage based on available evidence.

Keywords: Blood transfusion; cardiac surgery; cardiopulmonary bypass.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared

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