Allogeneic Transfusion Requirements Research Articles

Evaluation of staged autologous blood transfusion during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation: A retrospective study

BackgroundClinical blood resources are scarce and autologous blood transfusion for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) withdrawal is less studied. ObjectivesTo assess the use of staged autotransfusion during ECMO decannulation. MethodsThe study included ECMO withdrawal patients. Patients in the autologous transfusion group underwent staged transfusion during ECMO withdrawal, while those in the control group received 2.0 units of allogeneic packed red blood cells (RBCs) to increase hemoglobin (Hb). Parameters such as Hb, hematocrit (Hct), adverse events, decannulation success rate, volume of allogeneic RBC transfusions, and transfusion costs were compared. ResultsA total of 82 Chinese patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 46 years, 27 were female, and the top three primary diagnoses were cardiac arrest, acute myocarditis, and severe pneumonia. There were 41 individuals in the autologous blood transfusion group and 41 in the control group. No significant differences were observed in Hb, Hct, adverse events, and the success rate for decannulation between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the volume of allogeneic RBC transfusions [0 (0∼1.50) U vs. 3.5 (1.88∼40) U, P < 0.001] and the total cost [130 (130∼390) Chinese Yuan (CNY) vs. 910 (487.50, 1040) CNY, P = 0.002] were lower in the autologous transfusion group. ConclusionIn comparison with allogeneic RBC transfusion, staged autotransfusion during ECMO decannulation not only effectively maintained Hb levels but also reduced the requirement for allogeneic RBC transfusions. In addition, this approach decreased the associated costs and did not increase the risk of clinical adverse events.

Influence of thromboelastography-guided hemostatic algorithm on allogeneic transfusion requirements during pediatric hemispherectomy

Objective: To evaluate the influence of thromboelastography-guided hemostatic algorithm on allogeneic transfusion requirements during pediatric hemispherectomy. Methods: Clinical data of 38 children who underwent hemispherectomy from January 1, 2011 to October 31, 2023 at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University were retrospective collected. Patients were divided into study group (n=17) and control group (n=21) according to whether thromboelastography was employed to guide hemostatic algorithm. Demographic data and surgical data were recorded. The primary outcomes were allogeneic transfusion rates, including RBC transfusion rate, plasma transfusion rate, and platelets transfusion rate. The second outcomes were estimated blood loss, postoperative seizures during hospitalization, thromboembolic events, and length of hospital stay. Results: There were 13 boys and 4 girls with mean age of (5.7±3.3) years old in study group, and 16 boys and 5 girls with mean age of (7.4±3.4) years old in control group. The surgery duration, anesthesia duration and the proportion of prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid in study group were (424.5±98.5) min, (542.8±106.9) min, and 94.1% (16/17), which were higher than (353.1±85.3) min, (445.3±87.9) min, and 47.6% (10/21) in control group (all P<0.05). The rates of intra- and perioperative allogeneic plasma transfusion in study group were 52.9% (9/17) and 64.7% (11/17) respectively, which were lower than 90.5% (19/21) and 95.2% (20/21) in control group (all P<0.05). The ratio of fibrinogen concentrates administration in study group was 58.8% (10/17), which was higher than that in control group [4.8% (1/21), P=0.001]. There were no statistically differences in intra- and perioperative allogeneic RBC transfusion rates between the two groups (all P>0.05). No platelets were transfused in both groups. There were no statistically differences in estimated blood loss, postoperative seizures during hospitalization and the length of hospital stay between the two groups (all P>0.05). No postoperative thromboembolic events were observed. Conclusion: Thromboelastography-guided hemostatic algorithm can reduce allogeneic plasma transfusion requirements but not RBC transfusion requirements during pediatric hemispherectomy.

Effect of the administration route on the hemostatic efficacy of tranexamic acid in patients undergoing short-segment posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an FDA-approved antifibrinolytic that is seeing increased popularity in spine surgery owing to its ability to reduce intraoperative blood loss (IOBL) and allogeneic transfusion requirements. The present study aimed to summarize the current literature on these formulations in the context of short-segment instrumented lumbar fusion including ≥ 1-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). The PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were queried for all full-text English studies evaluating the use of topical TXA (tTXA), systemic TXA (sTXA), or combined tTXA+sTXA in patients undergoing PLIF. The primary endpoints of interest were operative time, IOBL, and total blood loss (TBL); secondary endpoints included venous thromboembolic complication occurrence, and allogeneic and autologous transfusion requirements. Outcomes were compared using random effects. Comparisons were made between the following treatment groups: sTXA, tTXA, and sTXA+tTXA. Given that sTXA is arguably the standard of care in the literature (i.e., the most common route of administration that to this point has been studied the most), the authors compared sTXA versus tTXA and sTXA versus sTXA+tTXA. Study heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 test, and grouped analysis using the Hedge's g test was performed for measurement of effect size. Forty-five articles were identified, of which 17 met the criteria for inclusion with an aggregate of 1008 patients. TXA regimens included sTXA only, tTXA only, and various combinations of sTXA and tTXA. There were no significant differences in operative time, TBL, or postoperative drainage between the sTXA and tTXA groups or between the sTXA and sTXA+tTXA groups. The present meta-analysis suggested clinical equipoise between isolated sTXA, isolated tTXA, and combinatorial tTXA+sTXA formulations as hemostatic adjuvants/neoadjuvants in short-segment fusion including ≥ 1-level PLIF. Given the theoretically lower venous thromboembolism risk associated with tTXA, additional investigations using large cohorts comparing these two formulations within the posterior fusion population are merited. Although TXA has been shown to be effective, there are insufficient data to support topical or systemic administration as superior within the open PLIF population.

The association of thromboembolic complications and the use of tranexamic acid during resection of intracranial meningiomas: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Antifibrinolytics, such as tranexamic acid (TXA), have been shown to decrease intraoperative blood loss across multiple surgical disciplines. However, they carry the theoretical risk of thromboembolic events secondary to induced hypercoagulability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically review the available literature and perform a meta-analysis on the use of TXA in meningioma resection to assess thromboembolic risks. The PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were reviewed for all randomized controlled trials presenting primary data on TXA use during resection of intracranial meningiomas. Data were gathered on operative duration, venous thromboembolic complications, deep venous thrombosis, use of allogeneic blood transfusion, estimated blood loss (EBL), and postoperative hemoglobin. Patients who received TXA were compared with controls who did not receive TXA intraoperatively using random-effects models. A total of 508 unique articles were identified, of which 493 underwent full-text review. Ultimately, 6 studies with 381 total patients (190 receiving TXA) were included in the final analysis. All 6 trials were randomized, blinded, and placebo controlled with a TXA administration rate of a 20-mg/kg load followed by a 1-mg/kg/hr infusion. All studies were performed in lower-middle-income countries. There were no reported instances of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the TXA and non-TXA cohorts. Patients receiving TXA exhibited fewer allogeneic transfusions (21.5% vs 41.6% [OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09-0.77], p = 0.02) and lower EBL (MD -282.48 mL [95% CI -367.77 to -197.20 mL], p < 0.001) compared with patients who did not receive TXA, and they also had lower rates of perioperative complications (10.7% vs 19.9% [OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.2-0.95], p = 0.04). Current literature suggests that TXA is not associated with increased risk for VTE when administered during resection of intracranial meningioma. TXA appears to decrease intraoperative blood loss and allogeneic transfusion requirements during meningioma resection and thus may improve the safety of surgical management of this pathology.

Hemoadsorption and Coagulation Systemic Rebalance in Patients Undergoing Nonelective Cardiac Surgery and Treated with Antithrombotics

Introduction: Insufficient withdrawal duration of antithrombotics leads to excessive bleeding after major surgery. We hypothesize that intraoperative hemoadsorption (HA) can reduce postoperative allogeneic transfusion requirements and excessive bleeding events (EBE), without an increase in ischemic/thromboembolic events (ITE) in patients who have taken antithrombotics and undergone nonelective cardiac surgery. Methods: A total of 460 patients admitted to our hospital from 2018 to 2022 were included in this study and divided into two groups: HA and non-HA. Because of the risk of bias due to differences in antithrombotic type, withdrawal duration, or basic coagulation function, propensity score matching was used for analyses. Results: Out of 154 cases in the HA group, 144 pairs were successfully matched. No HA safety events such as hemolysis, hypotension, or device failure occurred. After matching, the two groups were found to be comparable in preoperative antithrombotic type, withdrawal duration, platelets and coagulation function, and demographic and perioperative characteristics. Although the HA group did not have a reduced incidence of EBE, this group exhibited significant decreases in the transfusion rate and volume, the incidence of ITE, acute kidney injury, and central nervous system injury. Conclusions: For patients who have undergone nonelective cardiac surgery and taken antithrombotics, HA can simply and safely rebalance the postoperative coagulation system and have associations with reduced transfusion and postoperative ITE.

Low-Volume Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution Does Not Reduce Allogeneic Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery in the Modern Era of Patient Blood Management: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery often require blood transfusions, which are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Patient blood management (PBM) strategies, including acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH), have been implemented to minimize allogeneic transfusion requirements. Older studies suggested that ANH is associated with reduced transfusions; however, its effectiveness in the modern era of PBM remains unclear. This was a retrospective cohort study. The study was held at a single university hospital. 542 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) using low-priming-volume circuits between January 2017 and March 2022. Patients who received ANH were matched with those who did not receive ANH, using propensity scores. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who received perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Of the 542 eligible patients, 49 ANH cases were propensity-score matched to 97 controls. The median ANH volume was 450 mL (IQR, 400-800 mL). There was no significant difference in perioperative RBC transfusion rates between the 2 groups (24.5% in the ANH group vs 30.9% in the control group, p=0.42). The odds ratio for perioperative RBC transfusion in the ANH group versus the control group was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.32-1.55, p=0.42). Low-volume ANH was not associated with a significant reduction in perioperative allogeneic RBC transfusion during cardiac surgery with CPB using low-priming-volume circuits. The benefits of low-volume ANH in reducing the requirement for RBC transfusion in the modern era of PBM may be smaller than reported previously.

Predeposited Autologous Blood Transfusion in Single-Anesthetic Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty with Modern Blood Conservation Strategy.

We assessed the number of allogeneic transfusions required in 338 patients undergoing single-anesthetic bilateral TKA with a preoperative hemoglobin level of ≥11.0 g/dL. All TKAs were performed by a single surgeon according to the same operative and postoperative protocol. All patients received a combination of intravenous and intra-articular tranexamic acid. Neither a pneumonic tourniquet nor a drain was used. The difference in the risk of allogeneic transfusion between patients without and with autologous blood predeposit was compared with a noninferiority margin of 10 percentage points. Allogeneic transfusion was required in 1 (0.5%) of 194 patients who predeposited autologous blood and 3 (2.1%) of 144 patients who did not predeposit blood. The difference in risk was -1.6 percentage points (95% confidence interval, -4.1 to 1.0 percentage points); the confidence interval did not include the noninferiority margin and included zero. In single-anesthetic bilateral TKA, allogeneic transfusion requirements in patients who did not predeposit autologous blood were noninferior to those in patients who predeposited blood. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Factors affecting need for blood transfusion in paediatric patients undergoing open surgery for hip dysplasia.

The management of intraoperative blood loss in the surgical treatment of paediatric hip dysplasia is resource intensive. There are numerous clinical factors that impact the need for intraoperative transfusion. Identification of patient and surgical factors associated with increased blood loss may reduce the unnecessary use of resources. This study aimed to identify factors predictive of intraoperative transfusion in children undergoing hip dysplasia surgery. This is a single-centre retrospective review of patients undergoing surgery for hip dysplasia from 1 January 2012 to 15 April 2021. Patient demographic factors, anaesthetic, surgical and transfusion histories were reviewed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors predictive of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion requirements during the intraoperative period. This study includes 595 patients who underwent open surgery for hip dysplasia, including 297 (52.6%) classified as developmental dysplasia (DD) and 268 (47.3%) as neuromuscular (NM) with a mean age of 9.1 years (interquartile range 3-14). Intraoperative allogeneic transfusion was identified in 26/297 (8.8%) DD and 73/268 (27.2%) NM patients. Adjusted factors associated with increased odds of intraoperative transfusion were NM (odds ratio [OR]=2.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.76, 5.00]) and the number of osteotomies performed (OR=1.82/osteotomy, 95% CI [1.40, 2.35]). Adjusted factors that reduced the odds of transfusion were the use of antifibrinolytics (OR=0.35, 95% CI [0.17, 0.71]) and regional anaesthesia (OR=0.52, 95% CI [0.29, 0.94]). For children undergoing surgery for hip dysplasia, the number of osteotomies performed is predictive of the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. Antifibrinolytics and regional anaesthesia are associated with reduced risk for allogeneic blood transfusion. Blood management initiatives, such a preoperative optimization of haemoglobin and the use of antifibrinolytics, could target patients at increased risk of intraoperative bleeding and transfusion.

Prophylactic administration of tranexamic acid combined with thromboelastography-guided hemostatic algorithm reduces allogeneic transfusion requirements during pediatric resective epilepsy surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Intraoperative bleeding and allogeneic transfusion remain common problems in pediatric resective epilepsy surgery. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a widely recommended antifibrinolytic drug that reduces blood loss and transfusion requirements for bleeding patients. Thromboelastography (TEG)-guided hemostatic algorithm is commonly used in bleeding management. This trial was designed to validate the efficacy of a multimodal coagulation therapy involving continuous TXA infusion with TEG-guided hemostatic algorithm in reducing allogeneic exposure risk in pediatric resective epilepsy surgery. Methods: Eighty-three children undergoing resective epilepsy surgery were randomized into a treatment group (Group T; n = 42) and a control group (Group C; n = 41). Group T received prophylactic TXA (10 mg/kg followed by 5 mg/kg/h) with TEG-guided hemostatic algorithm, whereas Group C received conventional coagulation management. The primary outcome was allogeneic transfusion rate during surgery, and the secondary outcomes were intraoperative blood loss, incidence of postoperative seizures, and thromboembolic events during hospitalization. Results: The incidence of intraoperative allogeneic transfusion reduced by 34.7% with the use of a multimodal coagulation therapy (19.0% in Group T vs. 53.7% in Group C; RR 0.355, 95% CI 0.179–0.704; p = 0.001). This was mainly triggered by a significant reduction (44.1%) in intraoperative plasma transfusion (7.1% in Group T vs. 51.2% in Group C; RR 0.139, 95% CI 0.045–0.432; p = 0.000). The risk of intraoperative RBC transfusion was lower in Group T than in Group C, but the difference was not statistically significant (14.3% in Group T vs. 29.3% in Group C; RR 0.488, 95% CI 0.202–1.177; p = 0.098). No platelets were transfused in both groups. Further, 19 (45.2%) patients in Group T received fibrinogen concentrates guided by TEG data, whereas 1 (2.4%) patient in Group C received fibrinogen concentrates empirically. There were no significant differences in estimated blood loss and postoperative seizures between the two groups, and no thromboembolic events were observed after surgery. Conclusion: Prophylactic administration of TXA combined with TEG-guided hemostatic algorithm can be an effective multimodal coagulation strategy for reducing allogeneic transfusion requirements during pediatric resective epilepsy surgery. Clinical Trial Registration: www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier ChiCTR1800016188.

Safety of Intraoperative Cell Salvage in Cancer Surgery: An Updated Meta-Analysis of the Current Literature

Background: Allogeneic blood transfusions in oncologic surgery are associated with increased recurrence and mortality. Adverse effects on outcome could be reduced or avoided by using intraoperative autologous blood cell salvage (IOCS). However, there are concerns regarding the safety of the autologous IOCS blood. Previous meta-analyses from 2012 and 2020 did not identify increased risk of cancer recurrence after using autologous IOCS blood. The objective of this review was to reassess a greater number of IOCS-treated patients to present an updated and more robust analysis of the current literature. Methods: This systematic review includes full-text articles listed in PubMed, Cochrane, Cochrane Reviews, and Web of Science. We analyzed publications that discussed cell salvage or autotransfusion combined with the following outcomes: cancer recurrence, mortality, survival, allogeneic transfusion rate and requirements, length of hospital stay (LOS). To rate the strength of evidence, a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) of the underlying evidence was applied. Results: In the updated meta-analysis, 7 further observational studies were added to the original 27 observational studies included in the former 2020 analysis. Studies compared either unfiltered (n = 2,311) or filtered (n = 850) IOCS (total n = 3,161) versus non-IOCS use (n = 5,342). Control patients were either treated with autologous predonated blood (n = 484), with allogeneic transfusion (n = 4,113), or did not receive a blood transfusion (n = 745). However, the current literature still contains only observational studies on these topics, and the strength of evidence remains low. The risk of cancer recurrence was reduced in recipients of autologous salvaged blood with or without LDF (odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64–0.90) compared to nontransfused patients or patients with allogeneic transfusion. There was no difference in mortality (OR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.71–1.27) and LOS (mean difference −0.07 days, 95% CI: −0.63 to 0.48) between patients treated with IOCS blood or those in whom IOCS was not used. Due to high heterogeneity, transfusion rates or volumes could not be analyzed. Conclusion: Randomized controlled trials comparing mortality and cancer recurrence rate of IOCS with or without LDF filtration versus allogeneic blood transfusion were not found. Outcome was similar or better in patients receiving IOCS during cancer surgery compared to patients with allogeneic blood transfusion or nontransfused patients.

Optimal protamine dosing after cardiopulmonary bypass: The PRODOSE adaptive randomised controlled trial

The dose of protamine required following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is often determined by the dose of heparin required pre-CPB, expressed as a fixed ratio. Dosing based on mathematical models of heparin clearance is postulated to improve protamine dosing precision and coagulation. We hypothesised that protamine dosing based on a 2-compartment model would improve thromboelastography (TEG) parameters and reduce the dose of protamine administered, relative to a fixed ratio. We undertook a 2-stage, adaptive randomised controlled trial, allocating 228 participants to receive protamine dosed according to a mathematical model of heparin clearance or a fixed ratio of 1 mg of protamine for every 100 IU of heparin required to establish anticoagulation pre-CPB. A planned, blinded interim analysis was undertaken after the recruitment of 50% of the study cohort. Following this, the randomisation ratio was adapted from 1:1 to 1:1.33 to increase recruitment to the superior arm while maintaining study power. At the conclusion of trial recruitment, we had randomised 121 patients to the intervention arm and 107 patients to the control arm. The primary endpoint was kaolin TEG r-time measured 3 minutes after protamine administration at the end of CPB. Secondary endpoints included ratio of kaolin TEG r-time pre-CPB to the same metric following protamine administration, requirement for allogeneic red cell transfusion, intercostal catheter drainage at 4 hours postoperatively, and the requirement for reoperation due to bleeding. The trial was listed on a clinical trial registry (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03532594). Participants were recruited between April 2018 and August 2019. Those in the intervention/model group had a shorter mean kaolin r-time (6.58 [SD 2.50] vs. 8.08 [SD 3.98] minutes; p = 0.0016) post-CPB. The post-protamine thromboelastogram of the model group was closer to pre-CPB parameters (median pre-CPB to post-protamine kaolin r-time ratio 0.96 [IQR 0.78-1.14] vs. 0.75 [IQR 0.57-0.99]; p < 0.001). We found no evidence of a difference in median mediastinal/pleural drainage at 4 hours postoperatively (140 [IQR 75-245] vs. 135 [IQR 94-222] mL; p = 0.85) or requirement (as a binary outcome) for packed red blood cell transfusion at 24 hours postoperatively (19 [15.8%] vs. 14 [13.1%] p = 0.69). Those in the model group had a lower median protamine dose (180 [IQR 160-210] vs. 280 [IQR 250-300] mg; p < 0.001). Important limitations of this study include an unblinded design and lack of generalisability to certain populations deliberately excluded from the study (specifically children, patients with a total body weight >120 kg, and patients requiring therapeutic hypothermia to <28°C). Using a mathematical model to guide protamine dosing in patients following CPB improved TEG r-time and reduced the dose administered relative to a fixed ratio. No differences were detected in postoperative mediastinal/pleural drainage or red blood cell transfusion requirement in our cohort of low-risk patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Unique identifier NCT03532594.

Preemptive intravenous iron therapy versus autologous whole blood therapy for early postoperative hemoglobin level in patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: a prospective randomized noninferiority trial

BackgroundPrevious studies have reported the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) iron therapy during the perioperative period as an alternative and adjunct to allogeneic blood transfusion. Preemptive IV iron therapy provides noninferior hemoglobin levels on postoperative day (POD) 1 compared to autologous whole blood therapy (AWBT) in healthy patients who had undergone bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.MethodsThis was a prospective, patient-randomized, noninferiority trial. After excluding 2 patients, 64 patients were divided into two groups: the IV iron therapy group (patients received IV iron infusion 4 weeks before surgery; n = 32) and the AWBT group (2 units of autologous whole blood were collected 4 and 2 weeks before surgery; n = 32). The primary outcome was hemoglobin level on POD 1 and the prespecified noninferiority limit was − 1 g/dL.ResultsBaseline data were comparable, including hemoglobin and iron levels, between the two groups. Immediately before surgery, the levels of hemoglobin, iron, and ferritin were higher in the IV iron group than in the AWBT group. The mean treatment difference (iron group—whole blood group) in hemoglobin level on POD 1 between the two groups was 0.09 (95% CI = − 0.83 to 1.0). As the lower limit of the 95% CI (− 0.83) was higher than the prespecified noninferiority margin (δ = − 1), noninferiority was established. On POD 2, the hemoglobin level became lower in the iron group, which eventually led to greater requirement of allogeneic blood transfusion compared to the whole blood group. However, the iron group did not require allogeneic blood transfusion during or early after surgery, and the whole blood group showed continuously higher incidence of overt iron deficiency compared to the iron group.ConclusionAs collection of autologous whole blood caused overt iron loss and anemia before surgery and intraoperative transfusion of whole blood was not able to prevent the occurrence of persistent iron deficiency after surgery, IV iron therapy was found to have potential benefits for iron homeostasis and subsequent erythropoiesis in healthy patients early after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea, approval number: KCT0003680 on March 27, 2019. https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01_kren.jsp?seq=15769&sLeft=2<ype=my&rtype=my.

Optimal Tranexamic Acid Dosing Regimen in Cardiac Surgery: What Are the Missing Pieces?

Optimal Tranexamic Acid Dosing Regimen in Cardiac Surgery: What Are the Missing Pieces?

Introduction of a ROTEM-assisted strategy improves patient blood management in children undergoing open craniosynostosis repair

Purpose The surgical correction of craniosynostosis by open cranial vault reconstruction (OCVR) is often associated with significant blood loss and perioperative blood transfusion demand. Because of transfusion risks, several attempts have been made to eliminate the need for perioperative homologous blood transfusion with the implementation of goal-directed transfusion protocols. The aim of this study was to determine whether the introduction of a rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM)–assisted patient blood management strategy would decrease the intraoperative blood transfusion and blood loss levels. Methods Patients younger than 2 years of age who were diagnosed with nonsyndromic single suture synostosis and underwent primary OCVR were investigated in this retrospectively designed cohort study. The children were equally divided into 2 study groups according to the availability of the ROTEM-assisted protocol. The control group had surgery before introduction of the new protocol, whereas the study group was operated on subsequently. Demographic, blood loss, and transfusion data of the preprotocol cohort were compared with those of the postprotocol cohort. Results In total, 100 children, separated in 2 groups (50 patients each), were analyzed. The mean age at the time of surgery was 8.5 months in the pre-ROTEM-assisted protocol group, and 8.7 months in the postimplementation group. The estimated blood volume loss dropped from 60.8 mL/kg to 49.6 mL/kg after initiation of the current strategy. The intraoperative packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion volume decreased from 32.6 mL/kg to 17.1 mL/kg. Administration of PRBCs in the postoperative period also was reduced, compared with the period before implementation of the ROTEM-assisted regimen, from 21.8 mL/kg to 15.9 mL/kg. The average length of hospital stay was reduced from 5.4 days to 4.7 days after use of the ROTEM-assisted protocol. Conclusions As indicated by our results, the use of a ROTEM-assisted protocol is associated with considerable reduction in blood volume loss and perioperative allogeneic transfusion requirements in the surgical management of craniosynostosis with OCVR.

The end of the beginning: pre‐operative intravenous iron and the PREVENTT trial

For the last decade, intravenous (i.v.) iron to treat anaemia before surgery has been a key pillar of patient blood management. Recognising the associations between pre-operative anaemia and poor postoperative outcome, it was postulated that treatment of anaemia with iron (particularly in the setting of iron deficiency) would reduce the requirement for allogeneic red blood cell transfusion and improve postoperative outcomes. Accordingly, these recommendations were incorporated into national guidelines, despite a tacit acknowledgement that the overall quality of evidence was poor.

Tranexamic acid safely reduces hidden blood loss in patients undergoing intertrochanteric fracture surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous tranexamic acid (IV-TXA) in patients undergoing intertrochanteric fracture surgery. A total of 122 patients were included in this double-blinded trial and equally randomized to receive 1g of IV-TXA or normal saline 10min before incision and 3h later. The primary efficacy outcome was calculated hidden blood loss (HBL). The secondary efficacy outcome was allogeneic erythrocyte transfusion rate during hospitalization. Safety outcome was a composite of thromboembolic events including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) up to 90days. A meta-analysis combining this study with previous randomized controlled trials in hip fracture surgery (total sample size: 1112 patients) was also conducted. The mean HBL in TXA group (640.96 ± 421.63ml) was significantly lower than that in placebo group (1010.11 ± 398.96ml, P < 0.001). The rate of erythrocyte transfusions was 29.5% in TXA group and 60.7% in placebo group (P = 0.001). The incidence of thromboembolic events at 90days was 4.9% in TXA group and 1.6% in placebo group (P = 0.619). The updated meta-analysis showed that IV-TXA significantly reduced erythrocyte transfusion in hip fracture surgery (risk ratio 0.60, 95% confidence intervals 0.53-0.68), and IV-TXA caused no increased risk of thromboembolic events (risk difference 0.01, 95% confidence intervals - 0.02-0.04). IV-TXA could effectively reduce the HBL and allogeneic erythrocyte transfusion requirements in patients undergoing intertrochanteric fracture surgery without an increase of thromboembolic events including DVT. Clinical trials: safety and efficiency of tranexamic acid in hip fracture patients. Date of registration: August 31, 2018. ChiCTR1800018110.

Comparison of Blood-Conserving and Allogenic Transfusion-Sparing Effects of Antifibrinolytics in Scoliosis Correction Surgery.

Background:Intraoperative antifibrinolytic drug administration is a safe and effective method of reducing blood loss and allogenic transfusions in patients undergoing spine deformity correction.Aim:This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two antifibrinolytic drugs tranexamic acid (TXA) and epsilon amino caproic acid (EACA) in reducing peri-operative blood loss and transfusion requirements against a placebo control in patients with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing correction surgery.Setting and Design:This is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled comparative study.Methodology:Patients in TXA group received 50 mg.kg−1 bolus and 10 mg.kg−1.h−1 infusion as against 100 mg.kg−1 and 10 mg.kg−1.h−1 infusion in EACA group. The placebo group had saline bolus and infusion. Parameters observed included baseline demographic and deformity data, duration of surgery, total peri-operative blood loss, and allogenic packed red cell transfusion requirements.Statistical Analysis:Mean and standard deviation were used to represent the quantitative continuous data, and percentage was used to represent categorical data. The Student's t-test and ANOVA were used to compare means between groups. Bonferroni's multiple comparison test was used to find out the association between categorical variables.Results:A total of 36 patients were enrolled with 12 patients in each group. Peri-operative blood loss was 50.1% lower in patients receiving TXA and 17.7% lower in patients receiving EACA compared with the placebo group. The volume of total packed red cell transfusion was 66.7% lower in patients receiving TXA and 45.6% lower in patients receiving EACA compared with placebo.Conclusion:TXA was more effective in reducing total peri-operative blood loss and allogenic transfusion requirement in idiopathic scoliosis correction surgery compared to EACA.

Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Experience.

Aims: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) undergoing cardiac surgery.Methods: Using a retrospective cohort study design, 2,026 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent surgical repair of atrial or ventricular septal defect or complete repair of Tetralogy of Fallot were included, and divided into a control group and a TXA group.Results: Compared with that in the control group, there were statistically significant reduction of both the 12-h and total postoperative blood loss in the TXA group [6.573 ± 0.144 vs. 5.499 ± 0.133 ml kg−1, mean difference (MD) 1.074 ml kg−1, p < 0.001; 12.183 ± 0.298 vs. 9.973 ± 0.276 ml kg−1, MD, 2.210 ml kg−1, p < 0.001]. There was a statistically significant reduction of the MD of 12-h postoperative blood loss due to TXA in patients aged < 1 year compared with that in patients aged ≥1 year (MD, 1.544 vs. 0.681 ml kg-1, P = 0.007). There were statistically significant reduction of the MD of both the 12-h and total postoperative blood loss due to TXA in patients weighing < 10 kg compared with that in patients weighing ≥10 kg (MD, 1.542 vs. 0.456 ml kg-1, P < 0.001, and MD, 2.195 vs. 0.929 ml kg-1, P = 0.036, respectively). There was a statistically significant reduction of the MD of total postoperative blood loss due to TXA in cyanotic patients compared with that in acyanotic patients (MD, 3.381 vs. 1.038 ml kg−1, P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the postoperative volume or exposure of allogeneic transfusion, in-hospital morbidity or mortality between the groups.Conclusions: TXA took effects in reduction of postoperative blood loss but not the allogeneic transfusion requirement in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery, particularly in infants weighing < 10 kg and cyanotic children. Moreover, the study suggested the use of TXA was safe in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Risk Factors for Transfusion after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Background: Transfusion of blood products during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although risk factors associated with intraoperative transfusion requirements have been widely assessed, published data on the prediction of postoperative transfusion requirements are sparse. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for postoperative allogeneic transfusion requirements in OLT. Methods: Clinical characteristics and intraoperative parameters of 645 consecutive adult patients undergoing OLT were retrospectively reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the main determinants for postoperative transfusion requirements. Results: Determinants of postoperative transfusion requirements of any blood product in the postoperative period were the number of blood products transfused in the intraoperative period (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.28), warm ischemia time (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.08), MELD score (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.08) and hepatocellular carcinoma (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.28–0.72). A dose-dependent effect between the number of units transfused in the intraoperative period and transfusion requirements in the postoperative period was also observed. The relative risk of postoperative allogeneic transfusion of any blood component was 5.9 (95% CI 3.4–10.4) for patients who received 1–2 units in the intraoperative period, 7.3 (95% CI 3.6–14.7) for those who received 3–5 units in the intraoperative period, and 11.1 (95% CI 4.7–26.4) for those who received 6 or more units, when compared to no intraoperative blood transfusion. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated an association between intraoperative transfusion and warm ischemia time with postoperative transfusion requirements. The identification of risk factors for transfusion in the postoperative period may improve management of these patients by increasing awareness to bleeding complications in this high-risk population and by expanding hemostasis monitoring to the postoperative period.

Utility of prothrombin complex concentrate as first-line treatment modality of coagulopathy in patients undergoing liver transplantation: A propensity score-matched study.

Transfusion management during liver transplantation (LT) is aimed at reducing blood loss and allogeneic transfusion requirements. Although prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) has been used satisfactorily in various bleeding disorders, studies on its safety, and efficacy during LT are limited. A retrospective chart review of adult patients who underwent living donor LT at a single institute between October 2016 and January 2018 was carried out. The safety and efficacy of PCC in reducing transfusion requirements intraoperatively in patients who received PCC were compared with patients who did not receive PCC. A propensity score-matching technique was used, at a 1:1 ratio, to remove selection bias. After completing the 1:1 propensity score-matched analysis, 60 pairs of patients were identified. The use of PCC was associated with significantly decreased red blood cell transfusion requirements (6.2±4.1 vs 8.23±5.18, P<0.001) and fresh frozen plasma transfusion requirements (2.6±2 vs 6.18±4.1, P<0.001). The number of patients developing postoperative hemorrhagic complications was higher in the non-PCC group. During LT, the use of PCC led to decreased transfusion requirements. No thromboembolic complications related to PCC were noted in this series.