Blood transfusions in cardiac surgery: indications, risks, and conservation strategies

Arman Kilic; Glenn J R Whitman

doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.08.016

Blood transfusions in cardiac surgery: indications, risks, and conservation strategies

Ann Thorac Surg. 2014 Feb;97(2):726-34. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.08.016. Epub 2013 Dec 19.

Authors

Arman Kilic¹, Glenn J R Whitman²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
² Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 24359936
DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2013.08.016

Abstract

Although red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are frequently used in cardiac operations, an increasing amount of data has demonstrated deleterious consequences. Consequently, the appropriate use of this limited resource is unclear. In this review, we discuss the relationship between anemia and the outcomes of cardiac surgical procedures, the risks associated with RBC transfusion, and the impact of blood transfusions on mortality and morbidity after cardiac operations. The review concludes with a discussion of randomized trials comparing restrictive versus liberal transfusion strategies and a consideration of blood conservation techniques.

Keywords: 19.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anemia / complications
Bloodless Medical and Surgical Procedures*
Cardiac Surgical Procedures*
Erythrocyte Transfusion / adverse effects*
Humans
Postoperative Complications / etiology
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Risk Assessment
Transfusion Reaction