Decrease In Transfusion Rate Research Articles

Risk factors for blood transfusion after revision shoulder arthroplasty

BackgroundHigher blood transfusion rates have been reported in revision shoulder arthroplasty than in primary arthroplasty. This study seeks to evaluate factors associated with blood transfusions after revision shoulder arthroplasty and to evaluate the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA) to reduce blood transfusion rates in revision shoulder arthroplasty. MethodsAll shoulder arthroplasties performed at one institution were retrospectively reviewed using a research database over two time periods: before (November 2011 to November 2012) and after (April 2015 to April 2017) a protocol for the use of TXA was implemented. The inclusion criterion was any revision shoulder arthroplasty performed during the study time periods. Demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors were reviewed and compared based on transfusion. Patients who received TXA were compared with those patients who did not. Two-tailed Fisher exact tests, unpaired Welch’s t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to compare groups. ResultsA total of 135 revision shoulder arthroplasties were performed and evaluated during the study period. The overall transfusion rate for revision shoulder arthroplasty was 14.1%. Preoperative hematocrit (Hct) <42 was associated with a higher transfusion rate (18% vs. 5%; P = .03) on univariate analysis. Patients who received a transfusion had a significantly longer length of hospital stay (4.3 vs. 2.0 nights; P < .001). After controlling for covariates in the multivariate analysis, gender, body mass index, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, a history of a bleeding disorder, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, surgery type, and humeral stem retention were not individually associated with the need for a blood transfusion. A higher estimated blood loss was associated with a higher risk of blood transfusion (odds ratio, 2.04 per 100 mL increase; P < .001). On multivariate analysis, a one-unit decrease in preoperative Hct increased the odds of a blood transfusion by 1.20 (P = .03). On multivariate analysis, the use of TXA was associated with a decreased transfusion rate, but this only approached significance (odds ratio, 0.26; confidence interval, 0.05-1.24; P = .09). ConclusionBlood transfusion after revision shoulder arthroplasty is more common in patients with lower preoperative Hct and a higher estimated blood loss on multivariate analysis with an overall transfusion rate of 14%. The use of perioperative TXA was associated with a decreased risk of transfusion, but this only approached significance.

Expanded use of tranexamic acid is safe and decreases transfusion rates in patients with geriatric hip fractures.

Objectives:To determine the effect of a standardized tranexamic acid (TXA) protocol on red blood cell transfusions and adverse events in fragility hip fracture patients.Design:Retrospective cohort study.Setting:Academic Tertiary Care Center.Patients/Participants:Series of 209 patients with fragility hip fractures treated operatively from April 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019.Intervention:Eligible patients received 4 intravenous doses of TXA. Some patients missed doses and only received between 1 and 3 doses of TXA: Ineligible patients received no TXA. Patients with medical conditions precluding the use of TXA were deemed ineligible: allergy to TXA; creatinine clearance <30 mL/min; active malignancy; vascular event in the past year; anticoagulant use; fracture > 48 hours prior to presentation.Main Outcome Measures:Red blood cell transfusion; major adverse vascular events; minor drug related adverse events.Results:Patients who received all 4 doses of TXA (n = 70) had a significantly lower transfusion rate compared to those who did not receive any TXA (7.1% vs 28.1%, P = .003). There were no significant differences in the number of major or minor adverse events between the 2 groups.Conclusions:The use of a standardized TXA protocol of 4 doses significantly decreases transfusion rates in eligible patients undergoing operative intervention for fragility hip fracture without an increase in major or minor adverse events. These findings are even more pronounced in patients with decreased preoperative hemoglobin.Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III

The Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in the Management of Perioperative Bleeding After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies.

Introduction: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature to assess the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in the management of postoperative bleeding after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Methods: A systematic literature review was performed in March 2021. Two reviewers independently screened, identified, and evaluated comparative studies assessing the effectiveness of TXA in preventing bleeding after PCNL when compared with placebo or no intervention. The incidence of transfusion, complete stone clearance, and complications were extracted among TXA and control groups to generate the risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Blood loss, hemoglobin (Hb) drop, length of hospital stays, and operative (OR) time were analyzed using standard mean difference (SMD) with corresponding 95% CI. Effect estimates were pooled using the inverse-variance approach with a random-effect model. Results: A total of 11 studies (8 randomized controlled trial, 1 prospective cohort, and 2 retrospective cohort studies; total 1842 patients) of low-to-moderate-quality were included in the meta-analysis. Overall pooled effect estimates demonstrated a decreased transfusion rate (RR 0.36; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.51), blood loss (SMD -0.74; 95% CI -1.14 to -0.34), and Hb drop (SMD -0.95; 95% CI -1.51 to -0.39) among patients in the TXA group when compared with those in the control. The number needed to treat was 11 to prevent one transfusion. Patients who received TXA also had improved stone clearance (RR 1.08; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.14), lower minor (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.58 to 0.89) and major (RR 0.38; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.69) complications, shorter hospital stays (SMD -0.52; 95% CI -1.01 to -0.04) and decreased OR time (SMD -0.89; 95% CI -1.46 to -0.31). Conclusions: TXA can effectively reduce postoperative bleeding after PCNL. Future studies should identify a subset of patients who may benefit from preoperative TXA administration for PCNL.

The Use of Uterine Tourniquet to Decrease Blood Loss and Transfusion Rate during Myomectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

<h3>Study Objective</h3> To determine the impact of uterine tourniquet on blood loss and transfusion rates during myomectomy. <h3>Design</h3> This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. Electronic databases were searched from inception until October 3, 2020, for relevant articles. <h3>Setting</h3> Two reviewers independently screened all studies and extracted the data for the meta-analysis. <h3>Patients or Participants</h3> Studies involving pre-menopausal patients with benign, symptomatic uterine fibroids undergoing open, laparoscopic, or robotic myomectomy were included. Studies with pregnant or postmenopausal patients were excluded. <h3>Interventions</h3> Use of a tourniquet around the uterine isthmus and/or the infundibulopelvic ligament compared to control group which received no blood conservation intervention. <h3>Measurements and Main Results</h3> Five studies published between 2005 to 2020 were included, involving a total of 369 patients. 198 patients had a tourniquet used intra-operatively. All patients underwent open myomectomy. Three studies were randomized control trials and two were retrospective cohort studies. Estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the tourniquet group, with an effect size of 330 mL, z = 4.35, p < 0.001. 7% (14 out of 198) of patients received transfusion in the tourniquet group and 21% (36 out of 171) of patients received transfusion in the control group, the decrease in post op transfusion is at the border of statistical significance, z = 1.95, p = 0.05. Operative time and complications were not significantly different between the two groups. Overall, the included studies had a high risk of bias and large heterogeneity. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The use of uterine tourniquet at the time of abdominal myomectomy decreases blood loss and may decrease post operative transfusion. The intervention is inexpensive, simple and does not increase operative time or complications. Further high-quality research is needed.

Reducing Blood Transfusions in Primary Total Hip Replacement Patients: Effectiveness of Near-patient Testing and a Dedicated Preoperative Anemia Clinic.

Objective Preoperative anemia in orthopedic patients is associated with higher allogeneic blood transfusion rates and poorer outcomes. Up to 25% of the patients listed for major orthopedic surgery have some degree of anemia. Good perioperative patient blood management is essential to reduce the sequelae of anemia and the need for transfusions. We assessed the efficacy of rapid near-patient testing in conjunction with a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic for screening and treating primary total hip replacement (THR) patients for anemia. Methods A comparison of overall allogeneic blood transfusion rates was made for patients undergoing primary total hip replacement before and after the implementation of near-patient testing and of a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic over 1 year. A comparison was also performed between anemic patients who were referred to the clinic with those who were not referred. Preoperative hemoglobin levels, allogeneic blood transfusion rates and clinic treatment for 1,095 patients were reviewed. Results There was a significant decrease in transfusion rates in patients undergoing primary THR from 10.0 to 6.2% ( p < 0.05; χ2 test) after the implementation of near-patient testing and of a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic pathway. The allogeneic blood transfusion rate for anemic patients who were treated in the clinic was 6.7% compared with 26.9% for patients who were anemic preoperatively but were not treated in the clinic ( p < 0.05; Fisher exact test). On average, treatment in the pathway increased the hemoglobin of the patients by 20 g/L, from 104 g/L to 124 g/L ( p < 0.001). Conclusions Near-patient testing, in conjunction with a dedicated preoperative anemia clinic, reduces perioperative allogenic blood transfusion requirements for patients undergoing primary THR by providing rapid identification and effective treatment of preoperative anemia.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of universal pre-operative iron studies in total hip and knee arthroplasty

BackgroundThe prevalence of anaemia in patients planned for total hip and knee arthroplasty is about 20%. Optimising pre-operative haemoglobin levels by iron supplementation has been shown to decrease transfusion rates, complications and associated morbidity. The need for universal screening with iron studies of all elective arthroplasty patients is not clearly defined at present.MethodsRetrospective review of 2 sequential cohorts of patients undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty by a single surgeon at a single centre between January 2013 and December 2017. The first group of patients underwent pre-operative iron studies only if found to be anaemic, with a haemoglobin below 12g/dl. From January 2015, all patients irrespective of the presence of anaemia were screened with a complete iron profile before surgery. Patients with a confirmed iron deficiency were administered with intravenous iron prior to surgery. The 2 cohorts were compared with regard to blood transfusion rate post-operatively and cost efficiency for universal screening with iron studies.ResultsThere was a net decrease in the allogenic blood transfusion rate from 4.76 to 2.92% when universal iron studies were introduced but the difference was not statistically significant. Obtaining universal pre-operative iron studies is cost neutral with the price of allogenic blood transfusion in a similar cohort. We also diagnosed 5 patients with occult malignancies.ConclusionsUniversal screening with pre-operative iron studies and iron infusion in elective arthroplasty patients may reduce allogenic blood requirements and is cost neutral. An additional benefit is the potential to diagnose asymptomatic malignancies. Further studies are required to show the true benefit of universal pre-operative iron screening.

The Use of Tranexamic Acid in Hip and Pelvic Fracture Surgeries.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) use has expanded across many surgical specialties. It has been shown to reduce blood loss, decrease transfusion rates, and, in some cases, improve mortality. Within orthopaedic surgery, its popularity has primarily grown within arthroplasty and spinal surgery. It has only recently gained traction within the field of orthopaedic trauma and fracture care. At this time, most literature focuses on hip fracture and pelvic trauma surgery. For hip fractures, the results are encouraging and generally support the claim that TXA may lower overall blood loss and decrease transfusions. Conversely, less support exists for TXA use in fractures of the acetabulum or pelvic ring. Based on the current fracture-related studies, TXA does not seem to carry an increased risk of thromboembolism or other complications. In addition, few studies have been noted discussing the route of administration, timing, or dosage. This article reviews the most current literature regarding TXA use in fracture care and expands on the need for further research to evaluate the role of TXA in orthopaedic trauma populations who carry a high risk for transfusion.

Role of Parenteral Iron Therapy in Gynaecologic Malignancies: A Review of Literature and Recommendations for Practice in a Cancer Centre in a Developing Country

Anaemia causes morbidity and mortality in cancer patients with negative impact on treatment outcome and prognosis. It has been a common practice to offer blood transfusion which comes with its own disadvantages. Therefore, alternative strategies are required to obviate the recurrent need for blood transfusion. Currently, the best treatment decisions for anaemia might be based on measurements of serum ferritin (SF), transferrin saturation (TSAT), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), ferritin index (FI = sTfR/log SF), hypochromic reticulocytes (CHR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Parenteral iron therapy has advantages over oral route as compliance is the limiting factor in oral iron therapy and gastro-intestinal side effects are increased by oral route. A patient’s total body iron deficit can be calculated using the Ganzoni formula. Options for use of parenteral iron are iron dextran, iron sucrose and ferric gluconate. There are numerous trials which evaluate parenteral iron in cancer patients, but only a few evaluate them in gynaecologic malignancies. These trials conclude that usage leads to decreased transfusion rate and slow, steady and sustained rise in Hb level. Certain recommendations include safe and effective use of parenteral iron. Lowest Hb level for injectable iron should be 10 gm/dl. Post-surgical patients should be haemodynamically stable. Preparations can be given according to individual availability, cost and feasibility. Parenteral iron therapies improve time to target haemoglobin levels. They decrease need of blood transfusion. We recommend the use of intravenous iron therapy under supervision wherever feasible.

Changes in UK renal oncological surgical practice from 2008 to 2017: implications for cancer service provision and surgical training.

To determine and analyse the temporal changes in oncological nephrectomy practice and training opportunities using data obtained from the UK British Association of Urological Surgeons nephrectomy register from 2008 to 2017. All nephrectomies within the dataset for this time period were analysed (n = 54251). Cases were divided into radical nephrectomy (RN), partial nephrectomy (PN) and nephroureterectomy (NU). Simple nephrectomy, donor nephrectomy and benign PN were excluded. The annual frequencies for each oncological nephrectomy method, surgical approach, grade of surgeon, hospital caseload numbers and short-term surgical outcomes were determined. Reported annual nephrectomy numbers increased by 2.5-fold in the 9-year time period. The number of hospitals performing nephrectomies decreased by 22%, however, more than 40% of centres performed more than 70 cases a year. There was a trend towards a decrease in overall length of hospital stay (9 vs 5days; P < 0.01) and decreased transfusion rates. The proportion of minimally invasive procedures increased from 57% to 75%, with nephron-sparing rates increasing from 8.9% overall to 24.8%. With regard to surgical technique, robot-assisted surgery saw a mean annual increase of 222%. Overall, there was a 10% decrease in the proportion of PNs performed by trainee surgeons. Renal surgery has changed considerably with regard to volume and also surgical approach, with rates of nephron-sparing surgery and minimally invasive surgery significantly increasing. Increasing hospital centralization and institutional experience, and a shift to robot-assisted surgery appear to have contributed to the observed improved patient outcomes. The increasing utilization of robot-assisted surgery has potential implications and challenges for the training of future urology surgeons.

Intravenous Tranexamic Acid Decreases Blood Transfusions and Blood Loss for Patients with Surgically Treated Hip Fractures.

IntroductionTranexamic acid can decrease blood loss related to surgery and trauma. The primary objective of this study is to examine if the use of a single dose of peri-operative TXA significantly decreases the rate of allogenic blood transfusions in the setting of operative care of hip fractures. Secondary objectives included examining if total blood loss was decreased by TXA in operative hip fractures as well as examining the safety of TXA by measuring the rates venous thromboembolism (VTE).MethodsRetrospective chart review of 505 patients who were operatively treated for hip fractures at a single facility was performed. In a non-randomized fashion, 307 patients received TXA and 198 patients did not. Patients received 1 gram of TXA prior to incision. Blood transfusion was the primary end point. Blood loss was calculated using the hemoglobin balance method. Chart was reviewed for VTE events during hospitalization.Results505 patients were analyzed. The use of single perioperative dose of TXA in the surgical management of hip fracture resulted in absolute risk reduction of transfusion of 7.7% and relative risk reduction of transfusion by 29%. This was statistically significant with P =.04. Patients who received TXA on average lost 235 ml less blood compared to those who did not receive TXA (P <.0001). No increase in VTE events were found in either group during hospitalization.ConclusionThis study supports the use of TXA is decrease blood loss and transfusion rates in patients with hip fractures. TXA can be used routinely to decrease complications in this usually fragile population.

Improved postoperative outcomes and reduced transfusion rates after implementation of a Patient Blood Management program in gastric cancer surgery

IntroductionGastric cancer patients are often transfused with red blood cells, with negative impact on postoperative course. This multicenter prospective interventional cohort study aimed to determine whether implementation of a Patient Blood Management (PBM) program, was associated with a decrease in transfusion rate and improvements in clinical outcomes in gastric cancer surgery. MethodsWe compared transfusion practices and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing elective gastric cancer resection before and after implementing a PBM program, including strategies to detect and treat anemia and restrictive transfusion practice (2014–2018). Primary outcome was transfusion rate (TR). Secondary outcomes were complications, reoperations, length of stay, readmissions, 90-day mortality and failure-to-rescue. Differences were adjusted by confounding factors. ResultsSome 789 patients were included (496 pre- and 293 post-PBM). TR decreased from 39.1% to 27.0% (adjusted difference −9.1, 95% CI -15.2 to −2.9), being reduction particularly significant in patients with anemia, ASA score 3–4, locally advanced tumors, undergoing open surgery and total gastrectomy. Infectious complications diminished from 25% to 16.4% (−6.1, 95%CI -11.5 to −0.7), reoperations from 8.1% to 6.1% (−2.2, 95%CI -5.1 to +0.6), median length of stay from 11 [IQR 8–18] to 8 [7–12] days (p < 0.001), hospital readmission from 14.1% to 8.9% (−5.4, 95%CI -9.6 to −1.1), mortality from 7.9% to 4.8% (−2.4, 95%CI -4.7 to −0.01), and failure-to rescue from 62.7% to 32.7% (−23.1, 95%CI -37.7 to −8.5). ConclusionImplementation of a PBM program was associated with a reduction in transfusion rate and improvement in postoperative outcomes in gastric cancer patients undergoing curative resection.

Routine Type and Screens Are Unnecessary for Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasties at an Academic Hospital

BackgroundDespite decreasing transfusion rates, routine type and screens are frequently used before primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aims of this study were to characterize transfusion rates and identify any factors that affect the likelihood of transfusion to determine if it is safe to discontinue routine preoperative type and screens at an academic hospital. MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who underwent primary THA or TKA in 2019 at an academic institution by a fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeon. Data on preoperative type and screens, transfusion rates, bleeding disorders, and anticoagulation status were obtained. Patients were considered to have a preoperative type and screen if it was performed within 30 days before surgery. ResultsOverall, 379 patients were included in the study. Of these, 210 underwent primary THA and 169 underwent primary TKA. Four patients received transfusions during their hospitalization for a cumulative transfusion rate of 1.06%. No patients received an intraoperative transfusion. One (0.59%) patient received a postoperative transfusion after TKA, and 3 (1.43%) patients received a postoperative transfusion after THA. The mean preoperative hemoglobin of the 4 transfused patients was 10.8 g/dL. ConclusionsIn summary, performing a preoperative routine type and screen is likely unnecessary at academic medical centers. Consideration for obtaining a type and screen may include complex primary surgeries or when patients have preoperative hemoglobin of less than 11 g/dL. Ultimately, preoperative type and screen should be considered on a case-by-case basis using clinical judgment.

One Shot Dilatation (OSD) in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) - A Safe and Feasible Technique

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of one-shot dilation (OSD) in standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Methods: This is a prospective, single -center study conducted between January 2017 to June 2019. Patients who underwent PCNL using one shot dilatation (21 – 24 Fr) for access in PCNL were included in the study. Access time, fluoroscopy time, successful dilation time, stone free rate, decrease hemoglobin level and transfusion rate, complication rate, length of post operative hospital stay, cost were recorded. Data was analyzed and reported using summary statistics. Results: A total of 30 patients were enrolled in this survey. 30 patients in one shot dilation (OSD) group.The mean age was 39.5 years. Control group of 30 patients were included in standard PCNL procedure where method of tract dilation was done by regid Amplatz dilators. Access time and fluoroscopy time in OSD group was approximately shorter. Statistically it was significant. Successful dilation and stone free rate were subsequently 98% and was significant. Data collected included patient access time, radiation exposure, total operating time, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin concentrations, tract dilatation failures, complications and transfusions. Conclusion: The use of one shot and standard prone position under general anaesthesia combines the advantages of these both methods including less radiation exposure and shorter access and operative time. One shot dilation technique is safe, economical and feasible technique with added advantage,lesser radiation exposure and lesser chance of blood transfusion. Bangladesh Journal of Urology, Vol. 23, No. 2, July 2020 p.114-117

Preoperative tranexamic acid does not reduce transfusion rates in major oncologic surgery: Results of a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial.

Allogeneic blood transfusions are associated with worse postoperative outcomes in oncologic surgery. The aim of this study was to introduce a preoperative intervention to reduce transfusion rates in this population. Adult patients undergoing major oncologic surgery in five categories with similar transfusion rates were recruited. Enrollees received a single preoperative intravenous dose of placebo or tranexamic acid (1000 mg). The primary outcome measure was perioperative transfusion rate. Secondary outcome measures included: estimated blood loss, thromboembolic events, morbidity, hospital length of stay, and readmission rate. Seventy-six patients were enrolled, 39 in the tranexamic acid group and 37 in the placebo group, respectively. Demographics and surgery type were equivalent between groups. The transfusion rates were 8 out of 39 (20.5%) in the tranexamic acid group and 5 out of 37 (13.5%) in the placebo group, respectively (P = .418). Median estimated blood loss was 400 mL (interquartile range [IQR] = 150-600) in the tranexamic acid group compared with 300 mL (IQR = 150-800) in the placebo group (P = .983). There was one pulmonary embolism in each arm and no deep venous thrombosis (P > .999). Preoperative administration of tranexamic acid at a 1000 mg intravenous dose does not decrease transfusion rates or estimated blood loss in patients undergoing major oncologic surgery.

Impact of body mass index on hemoglobin level and blood transfusion in total knee arthroplasty: A retrospective case control study

BackgroundMorbid obesity is a challenge in cases that require total knee arthroplasty, and several studies considered it a contraindication for the procedure due to associated risk of complications, including plummeting hemoglobin levels and subsequent need for a blood transfusion. This study investigated risk factors for blood transfusion in this patient group and considered their relationship to obesity. Materials and methodsPatients’ data were extracted from medical records, including estimated blood loss and perioperative hemoglobin levels. Patients were weighed and measured, and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated and stratified according to international criteria. ResultsA total of 188 patients were included in this study; among them, 136 patients had obesity (72%), with a mean BMI of 33.54. The mean volume of blood lost was 1055.4 ml, with the mean postoperative hemoglobin decrease of 1.42 g/dl and 2.88 g/dl at 6 and 24 h after surgery, respectively. The pre-operative Hb level was the only significant risk factor for blood transfusion. BMI did not affect the risk of blood transfusion or amount of blood lost. ConclusionObesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) did not increase the risk of needing a blood transfusion after total knee arthroplasty. A judicious transfusion strategy involving the pre-operative Hb optimization should be adopted in TKA to decrease transfusion rate, benefit patient outcomes, and increase healthcare system efficiency. This study shows that high BMI is not a risk factor for postoperative blood transfusion.

Impact of a Blood Conservation Bundle Checklist on Perioperative Transfusion Rates during Myomectomy

The primary objective was to introduce an intraoperative blood conservation bundle (BCB) checklist into clinical practice and assess its impact on perioperative blood transfusion rates during myomectomy. Prospective cohort study with retrospective control group. A Canadian tertiary-care teaching hospital. One hundred and eighty-six women who underwent myomectomy. The BCB is a physical checklist attached to the patient chart and consists of evidence-based medical and surgical interventions to reduce intraoperative blood loss. It was introduced in October 2018, and data were collected prospectively during a 12-month period for all open, robotic, and laparoscopic myomectomies at our institution. The primary outcome was the perioperative transfusion rate, and the secondary outcomes included estimated intraoperative blood loss, perioperative complications, readmissions, and BCB usage rates. Data were compared with those of a historic control group for a 24-month period before the BCB introduction. In the pre-BCB period, 134 myomectomies (90 open, 31 robotic, and 13 laparoscopic) were performed, and during our study period, 52 myomectomies (33 open, 10 robotic, and 9 laparoscopic) were performed. There was a decrease in transfusion rate from 15.7% (21/134) to 7.7% (4/52) after introduction of the BCB; however, this was not significant (p = .152). The mean estimated blood loss was lower postintervention (491 mL ± 440 mL vs 350 mL ± 255 mL; p <.05) as was the mean delta hemoglobin (-28 g/L ± 13.0 g/L vs -23 g/L ± 11.4g/L; p <.05]. The checklist was used in 92.3% of cases (48/52). There were no differences in intraoperative or postoperative complications or readmission rates. Best practice care bundles can improve knowledge translation of guidelines into care delivery. The introduction of the BCB was successful in reducing intraoperative blood loss during myomectomy at our institution. The BCB is a simple, effective tool that can be easily adopted by gynecologic surgeons to guide intraoperative decision-making during myomectomy.

Enasidenib drives human erythroid differentiation independently of isocitrate dehydrogenase 2.

Cancer-related anemia is present in more than 60% of newly diagnosed cancer patients and is associated with substantial morbidity and high medical costs. Drugs that enhance erythropoiesis are urgently required to decrease transfusion rates and improve quality of life. Clinical studies have observed an unexpected improvement in hemoglobin and RBC transfusion-independence in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated with the isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) mutant-specific inhibitor enasidenib, leading to improved quality of life without a reduction in AML disease burden. Here, we demonstrate that enasidenib enhanced human erythroid differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors. The phenomenon was not observed with other IDH1/2 inhibitors and occurred in IDH2-deficient CRISPR-engineered progenitors independently of D-2-hydroxyglutarate. The effect of enasidenib on hematopoietic progenitors was mediated by protoporphyrin accumulation, driving heme production and erythroid differentiation in committed CD71+ progenitors rather than hematopoietic stem cells. Our results position enasidenib as a promising therapeutic agent for improvement of anemia and provide the basis for a clinical trial using enasidenib to decrease transfusion dependence in a wide array of clinical contexts.

Total knee arthroplasty using patient-specific instrumentation for osteoarthritis of the knee: a meta-analysis

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty using patient-specific instrumentation (TKA-PSI), which are disposable cutting block guides generated to fit each patient’s 3-dimensional knee anatomy, has been developed to treat patients with end-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. Surrogate markers such as radiographic malalignment have been well investigated, however, patient-important outcomes are not well examined to elucidate the efficacy of TKA-PSI. The aim of this review is to determine if TKA-PSI improves patient-reported outcome measures (PROM), surgery time, blood loss, transfusion and complications (e.g. surgical site infection, deep venous thrombosis, and revision TKA).MethodsWe searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ongoing clinical trials. For PROMs, surgery time, blood loss, and transfusion rate, we included randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing TKA-PSI and standard TKA to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. For complications, we also included non-randomized comparative studies (non-RCT).ResultsThis review includes 38 studies, 24 of which were RCT and 14 of which were non-RCT. These included a total of 3487 patients. The predominant population in the included studies highly reflected the general population, with 62% being female, aged over 60 and having end-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. TKA-PSI did not improve PROMs as compared to standard TKA for less than 1-year (mean difference 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.92–0.97 in the Oxford knee score, mean 3-month follow-up) and for 1-year or more (mean difference 0.25, 95%CI − 4.39–4.89 in the WOMAC score, mean 29-month follow-up). TKA-PSI did not reduce surgery time (mean difference − 3.09 min, 95%CI -6.73–0.55). TKA-PSI decreased blood loss with a small effect size corresponding to a 0.4 g/dl hemoglobin decrease (95%CI 0.18–0.88), but did not decrease transfusion rate (risk difference − 0.04, 95%CI -0.09–0.01). TKA-PSI did not reduce complication rates (risk difference 0.00, 95%CI − 0.01–0.01 in the composite outcome).ConclusionsTKA-PSI does not improve patient-reported outcome measures, surgery time, and complication rates as compared to standard TKA. TKA-PSI decreases blood loss with a small effect, which is not enough to reduce transfusion rate.

Improved Intraoperative Hemodynamics in Burn Surgery: An Institutional Change to Pediatric-Specific Hemostasis Solutions.

A cornerstone of burn surgery hemostasis is infiltration of tumescent vasopressor solutions and topical vasoconstrictor-soaked compresses. Studies detailing pediatric-specific concentrations of these solutions are lacking. Our aim was to assess hemodynamic changes after an institutional change in tumescent vasopressor solution and vasopressor-soaked topical compresses for hemostasis management during pediatric burn surgery. Once the institutional change was implemented, cases performed before and after the intervention were reviewed; inclusion criteria included age 0 to 18 years, burn TBSA ≥ 10%, and surgery length > 50 minutes. Primary outcomes included changes in intraoperative mean arterial pressure, maximum inhaled anesthetic concentration, need for direct-acting vasodilators, estimated blood loss, and need for blood transfusions. Thirty patients were included in the intervention group, and 31 in the control group. There was a significant difference in peak intraoperative blood pressure in the intervention group (21.4%) compared with the control group (48.0%, P = .005). Maximum inhaled anesthetic concentrations were lower in the intervention group (2.5% vs 2.8%, P = .02). Estimated blood loss per TBSA decreased significantly (8.2 ml/1% TBSA vs 1.7, P = .008), as well as blood transfusion rates, with a transfusion rate of 16.7% in the intervention group vs 45.2% in the control group (P = .03). The changes instituted in type and concentration of tumescent solution and vasopressor-soaked topical compresses were associated with improved hemodynamic changes and decreased transfusion rates intraoperatively.

Long-Term Sustainability of a Quality Initiative Program on Transfusion Rates in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Follow-Up Study

BackgroundThere are significant variations in transfusion rates among institutions performing total joint arthroplasty. We previously demonstrated that implementation of an educational program to increase awareness of the American Association of Blood Banks’ transfusion guidelines led to an immediate decrease in transfusion rates at our facilities. It remained unclear how this initiative would endure over time. We report the long-term success and sustainability of this quality program. MethodsWe reviewed the Michigan Arthroplasty Collaborative Quality Initiative data from 2012 through 2017 of all patients undergoing primary hip and knee arthroplasty at our institutions for preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin level, transfusion status, and number of units transfused and transfusions outside of protocol to identify changes surrounding our blood transfusion educational initiative. We calculated the transfusions prevented and cost implications over the course of the study. ResultsWe identified 6645 primary hip and knee arthroplasty patients. There was a significant decrease in transfusion rate and overall transfusions in each group when compared to pre-education values. Subgroup analysis of TKA and THA independently showed significant decreases in both transfusion rate and overall transfusions. Over the final 3 years of the study, only 2 patients were transfused outside of the American Association of Blood Banks protocol. We estimate prevention of 519 transfusions over the study period. ConclusionApplication of this quality initiative was an effective means of identifying opportunities for quality improvement. The program was easily initiated, had significant early impact, and has been shown to be sustainable.