Intraoperative cell salvage using swab wash and serial thromboelastography in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery involving massive blood loss.

The loss of 50% blood volume is one accepted definition of massive haemorrhage, which ordinarily would trigger the massive transfusion protocol, involving the administration of high ratios of fresh frozen plasma and platelets to allogeneic red cells. We investigated 53 patients who experienced >50% blood loss during open elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery to assess allogeneic blood component usage and coagulopathy. Specialist patient blood management practitioners used a tailored cell salvage technique including swab wash to maximise blood return. We assessed the proportion of patients who did not require allogeneic blood components and develop evidence of coagulopathy by thromboelastography (TEG) parameters. Blood loss was 50%-174% (mean [SD] 68% [27%]) of blood volume. The mean (SD) intraoperative decrease in haemoglobin concentration, assessed by arterial blood gas analysis, was 5 (13) g/l. No patient received allogeneic red cells intraoperatively. Four of the 53 (8%) patients received blood components in the first 24 h postoperatively at the anaesthetists' discretion. No patient had intraoperative TEG changes indicative of fibrinolysis or coagulopathy. The 30-day mortality was 2% (one of 53). Reduction of allogeneic transfusion is one aim of patient blood management techniques. We have demonstrated virtual avoidance of allogeneic blood product transfusion despite massive blood loss. These data show possible alternatives to the current massive transfusion protocols to the management of elective vascular surgical patients.

Drug-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A systematic review and review of European and North American pharmacovigilance data.

Many medications have been reported to be associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) through pharmacovigilance data and published case reports. Whilst there are existing data available regarding drug-induced thrombotic microangiopathy, there is no available synthesis of evidence to assess drug-induced TTP (DI-TTP). Despite this lack of evidence, patients with TTP are often advised against using many medications due to the theoretical risk of DI-TTP. This systematic review evaluated the evidence for an association of medications reported as potential triggers for TTP. Of 5098 records available 261 articles were assessed further for eligibility. Fifty-seven reports, totalling 90 patients, were included in the final analysis. There were no cases where the level of association was rated as definite or probable, demonstrating a lack of evidence of any drug causing DI-TTP. This paucity of evidence was also demonstrated in the pharmacovigilance data, where 613 drugs were reported as potential causes of TTP without assessment of the strength of association. This systematic review demonstrates the need for standardised reporting of potential drugs causing TTP. Many reports omit basic information and, therefore, hinder the chance of finding a causative link if one exists.

Real world reduction in red cell transfusion with restrictive transfusion threshold in haematology inpatients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the reduction in red cell transfusions following a change in the red cell transfusion threshold for haematology inpatients from 80 to 70 g/L. BACKGROUND: Haematology patients are among the high users of red blood cells. We reduced the threshold for transfusion of haematology inpatients to 70 g/L. This was based on evidence provided by randomised controlled trial published in 2020 that showed restrictive transfusion is non-inferior to liberal transfusion. METHOD: We assessed red cell transfusions for haematology inpatients at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for 9 months before and 9 months after a change in red cell transfusion threshold from 80 to 70 g/L. RESULTS: After the change in threshold to 70 g/L or less from 80 g/L, the median number of red cell transfusions per month reduced to 88 from 111. This was a 23% reduction in the total number of red cells administered per month. CONCLUSION: These results show the real-world reductions in transfusion that can be made by putting local transfusion guidelines in line with the international recommendations. This is of particular importance at a time of national blood shortage.

Factor VIII levels and bleeding according to factor 8 (F8) mutation in pregnant carriers of haemophilia A: a multicentre retrospective cohort study.

This retrospective cohort study investigated the association between factor 8 (F8) genotype severity and factor VIII (FVIII) levels during pregnancy for 52 women (64 pregnancies) who were heterozygous carriers of mild, moderate or severe haemophilia A. There were no significant differences in FVIII levels for carriers of mild, moderate or severe haemophilia A at baseline [mean (SD) level: mild, 0·78 (0·22); moderate, 0·83 (0·33); severe, 0·70 (0·25) iu/ml; P = 0·81] or in the third trimester [mean (SD) level: mild, 1·42 (0·28); moderate, 1·47 (0·41); severe, 1·37 (0·49) iu/ml; P = 0·80). Post-partum haemorrhage rates were higher for carriers of severe haemophilia A (13/24; 54·2%) compared to carriers of mild haemophilia A (four of 14; 28·6%).

Bleeding of unknown cause and unclassified bleeding disorders; diagnosis, pathophysiology and management.

Bleeding of unknown cause (BUC), also known as unclassified bleeding disorders (UBD), has been defined as a clear bleeding tendency in the presence of normal haemostatic tests. There are challenges in the diagnosis and management of these patients. BUC/UBD encompasses a heterogenous group of disorders which may include undiagnosed rare monogenic diseases, polygenic reasons for bleeding; and patients without a clear bleeding disorder but with a previous bleeding event. Nevertheless, these patients may have heavy menstrual bleeding or be at risk of bleeding when undergoing surgical procedures, or childbirth; optimizing haemostasis and establishing a mode of inheritance is important to minimize morbidity. The bleeding score has been used to clinically assess and describe these patients, but its value remains uncertain. In addition, accurate distinction between normal and pathological bleeding remains difficult. Several studies have investigated cohorts of these patients using research haemostasis tests, including thrombin generation and fibrinolytic assays, yet no clear characteristics have consistently emerged. Thus far, detailed genetic analysis of these patients has not been fruitful in unravelling the cause of bleeding. There is a need for standardization of diagnosis and management guidelines for these patients. This review gives an overview of this field with some suggestions for future research.

A single centre retrospective study of low dose prophylaxis with extended half-life factor IX for severe haemophilia B.

INTRODUCTION: Extended half-life factor IX concentrates (EHL-FIX) can be administered weekly to prevent bleeding for persons with severe haemophilia B. We report the experience of a large UK haemophilia comprehensive care centre using low dose EHL-FIX for persons with severe haemophilia B. AIM: The low doses used in real world are approximately half of the doses used in clinical trials. We aim to assess the efficacy and safety of low dose EHL-FIX. METHODS: Data from a cohort of 13 patients who were switched from standard half-life factor IX (SHL-FIX) to Alprolix® (mean dose 31.5 IU/kg) and seven patients who switched from standard half-life factor IX to Idelvion® (mean dose 20.2 IU/kg) were included. RESULTS: The median annualized bleeding rate was similar for SHL-FIX (median 3, interquartile range [IQR] 1-5) and EHL-FIX (median 3, IQR 1-5.25). Quality of life scores, measured using the European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions assessment were similar for SHL-FIX (median 0.76, IQR: 0.63-0.84) and EHL-FIX (median 0.79, IQR: 0.58-0.88). CONCLUSION: This study shows that EHL-FIX given at low doses can be effective for prevention of bleeding for persons with severe haemophilia B.

Rebleeding and Mortality After Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients Taking Antiplatelets or Anticoagulants.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients who develop lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) while receiving anticoagulants or anti-platelets have increased severity of bleeding and risk of rebleeding. We compared outcomes of patients receiving antiplatelets, anticoagulants, or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) who develop LGIB, as well as the effects of withholding these drugs on their course of bleeding. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 2528 consecutive adult patients with LGIB at 143 hospitals in the United Kingdom, from September through December 2015; 917 were taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs and 1218 were taking neither (unexposed). We collected data on demographic features of patients, interventions or medications, outcomes, laboratory test results, and patient readmission until patient death, discharge, or 28 days after admission (whichever came first). Rebleeding was defined as additional transfusion requirements and/or a decrease in hematocrit ≥20% after 24 hrs of clinical stability. Multivariate regression was used to examine the relationship between drug class on presentation with LGIB and rebleeding, mortality, and cardiovascular events. Rates of rebleeding and cardiovascular complications in patients who had these drugs withheld were also analyzed. RESULTS: Patients receiving antiplatelets, but not those receiving warfarin (n = 232) or DOACs (n = 102), had a higher risk of in-hospital rebleeding (monotherapy hazard ratio [HR], 3.57; 95% CI, 1.13-11.28; n = 504 and dual antiplatelet therapy hazard ratio, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.56-18.54; n = 79) compared with the unexposed group. This risk was not lower in patients who received antiplatelets and had the drug withheld for fewer than 5 days, compared to those who continued the drug throughout admission (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.45-2.17) No differences were observed in risk-adjusted mortality or readmission with further bleeding for patients receiving antiplatelets, DOACs, or warfarin. Cardiovascular events were too few to allow meaningful comparison. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LGIB, antiplatelet drugs, but not warfarin or DOACs, are associated with an increased risk of rebleeding. Withholding antiplatelets during admission does not lead to reduction in rebleeding.

Clinical bleeding and thrombin generation in admissions to critical care with prolonged prothrombin time: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) is often recorded in critical illness, but has limited ability to predict risk of bleeding. This exploratory study was aimed at assessing a role for thrombin generation (TG) to predict bleeding. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: TG was measured by calibrated automated thrombography in admissions to intensive care with prolonged PT. Bleeding events were recorded up to Day 5 after enrollment and correlated with results of PT ratio (PTR) and variables of TG. RESULTS: A total of 306 patients were recruited. A total of 101 bleeding events developed in 46 patients during the period of observation. Many patients with prolonged PT had endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), which was within the normal range (120/251 patients, 47.8%) or even elevated (8%). Although some patients had a reduction in ETP or peak thrombin, these were present over a wide range of PTR. There was no suggestion by receiver operating characteristic analysis that variables of conventional TG were sensitive at predicting bleeding. No bleeding events were documented in patients defined as ETP high, despite elevated PTR. CONCLUSION: Future studies need to explore a role for alternatives tests of coagulation in critical illness. Development of TG assays is required to positively identify more patients at increased bleeding risk or to exclude a larger number at low risk and how this relates to subgroups, such as patients with liver disease, and the need for prophylactic plasma transfusion.

Farnesoid X Receptor and Liver X Receptor Ligands Initiate Formation of Coated Platelets.

OBJECTIVES: The liver X receptors (LXRs) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) have been identified in human platelets. Ligands of these receptors have been shown to have nongenomic inhibitory effects on platelet activation by platelet agonists. This, however, seems contradictory with the platelet hyper-reactivity that is associated with several pathological conditions that are associated with increased circulating levels of molecules that are LXR and FXR ligands, such as hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We, therefore, investigated whether ligands for the LXR and FXR receptors were capable of priming platelets to the activated state without stimulation by platelet agonists. Treatment of platelets with ligands for LXR and FXR converted platelets to the procoagulant state, with increases in phosphatidylserine exposure, platelet swelling, reduced membrane integrity, depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, and microparticle release observed. Additionally, platelets also displayed features associated with coated platelets such as P-selectin exposure, fibrinogen binding, fibrin generation that is supported by increased serine protease activity, and inhibition of integrin αIIbß3. LXR and FXR ligand-induced formation of coated platelets was found to be dependent on both reactive oxygen species and intracellular calcium mobilization, and for FXR ligands, this process was found to be dependent on cyclophilin D. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that treatment with LXR and FXR ligands initiates coated platelet formation, which is thought to support coagulation but results in desensitization to platelet stimuli through inhibition of αIIbß3 consistent with their ability to inhibit platelet function and stable thrombus formation in vivo.

Periprocedural antithrombotic management for lumbar puncture: Association of British Neurologists clinical guideline.

Lumbar puncture (LP) is an important and frequently performed invasive procedure for the diagnosis and management of neurological conditions. There is little in the neurological literature on the topic of periprocedural management of antithrombotics in patients undergoing LP. Current practice is therefore largely extrapolated from guidelines produced by anaesthetic bodies on neuraxial anaesthesia, haematology groups advising on periprocedural management of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, and by neuroradiology on imaging-guided spinal procedures. This paper summarises the existing literature on the topic and offers recommendations to guide periprocedural antithrombotic management for LP, based on the consolidation of the best available evidence. ​.

The aspirin story - from willow to wonder drug.

The story of the discovery of aspirin stretches back more than 3500 years to when bark from the willow tree was used as a pain reliever and antipyretic. It involves an Oxfordshire clergyman, scientists at a German dye manufacturer, a Nobel Prize-winning discovery and a series of pivotal clinical trials. Aspirin is now the most commonly used drug in the world. Its role in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease has been revolutionary and one of the biggest pharmaceutical success stories of the last century.

Plasma transfusions prior to lumbar punctures and epidural catheters for people with abnormal coagulation.

BACKGROUND: The insertion of a lumbar puncture needle or epidural catheter may be associated with peri- and post-procedural bleeding. People who require this procedure may have disorders of coagulation as a result of their underlying illness, co-morbidities or the effects of treatment. Clinical practice in some institutions is to mitigate the risk of bleeding in these patients by prophylactically transfusing plasma in order to correct clotting factor deficiencies prior to the procedure. However, plasma transfusion is not without risk, and it remains unclear whether this intervention is associated with reduced rates of bleeding or other clinically-meaningful outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of different prophylactic plasma transfusion regimens prior to insertion of a lumbar puncture needle or epidural catheter in people with abnormal coagulation. SEARCH METHODS: We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled trials (non-RCT) and controlled before-after studies (CBAs) in CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library 2016, Issue 11), MEDLINE (from 1946), Embase (from 1974), CINAHL (from 1937), the Transfusion Evidence Library (from 1950), and five other electronic databases as well as ClinicalTrials.gov and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) for ongoing trials to 9 January 2017. SELECTION CRITERIA: We planned to include RCTs, non-RCTs, and CBAs involving transfusions of plasma given to prevent bleeding in people of any age with a coagulopathy requiring insertion of a lumbar puncture needle or epidural catheter. If identified, we would have excluded uncontrolled studies, cross-sectional studies and case-control studies. We would only have included cluster-RCTs, non-randomised cluster trials, and CBAs with at least two intervention sites and two control sites. In studies with only one intervention or control site, the intervention (or comparison) is completely confounded by study site making it difficult to attribute any observed differences to the intervention rather than to other site-specific variables.We planned to exclude people with haemophilia as they should be treated with the appropriate factor concentrate. We also planned to exclude people on warfarin as guidelines recommend the use of prothrombin complex concentrate for emergency reversal of warfarin. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: We identified no completed or ongoing RCTs, non-RCTs, or CBAs. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence from RCTs, non-RCTs, and CBAs to determine whether plasma transfusions are required prior to insertion of a lumbar puncture needle or epidural catheter, and, if plasma transfusions are required, what is the degree of coagulopathy at which they should be given. We would need to design a study with at least 47,030 participants to be able to detect an increase in the number of people who had bleeding after lumbar puncture or epidural anaesthetic from 1 in 1000 to 2 in 1000.

Desmopressin use for minimising perioperative blood transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion is administered during many types of surgery, but its efficacy and safety are increasingly questioned. Evaluation of the efficacy of agents, such as desmopressin (DDAVP; 1-deamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin), that may reduce perioperative blood loss is needed. OBJECTIVES: To examine the evidence for the efficacy of DDAVP in reducing perioperative blood loss and the need for red cell transfusion in people who do not have inherited bleeding disorders. SEARCH METHODS: We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2017, issue 3) in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (from 1946), Embase (from 1974), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (from 1937), the Transfusion Evidence Library (from 1980), and ongoing trial databases (all searches to 3 April 2017). SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials comparing DDAVP to placebo or an active comparator (e.g. tranexamic acid, aprotinin) before, during, or immediately after surgery or after invasive procedures in adults or children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 65 completed trials (3874 participants) and four ongoing trials. Of the 65 completed trials, 39 focused on adult cardiac surgery, three on paediatric cardiac surgery, 12 on orthopaedic surgery, two on plastic surgery, and two on vascular surgery; seven studies were conducted in surgery for other conditions. These trials were conducted between 1986 and 2016, and 11 were funded by pharmaceutical companies or by a party with a commercial interest in the outcome of the trial.The GRADE quality of evidence was very low to moderate across all outcomes. No trial reported quality of life. DDAVP versus placebo or no treatmentTrial results showed considerable heterogeneity between surgical settings for total volume of red cells transfused (low-quality evidence) and for total blood loss (very low-quality evidence) due to large differences in baseline blood loss. Consequently, these outcomes were not pooled and were reported in subgroups.Compared with placebo, DDAVP may slightly decrease the total volume of red cells transfused in adult cardiac surgery (mean difference (MD) -0.52 units, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.96 to -0.08 units; 14 trials, 957 participants), but may lead to little or no difference in orthopaedic surgery (MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.67 to 0.64 units; 6 trials, 303 participants), vascular surgery (MD 0.06, 95% CI -0.60 to 0.73 units; 2 trials, 135 participants), or hepatic surgery (MD -0.47, 95% CI -1.27 to 0.33 units; 1 trial, 59 participants).DDAVP probably leads to little or no difference in the total number of participants transfused with blood (risk ratio (RR) 0.96, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.06; 25 trials; 1806 participants) (moderate-quality evidence).Whether DDAVP decreases total blood loss in adult cardiac surgery (MD -135.24 mL, 95% CI -210.80 mL to -59.68 mL; 22 trials, 1358 participants), orthopaedic surgery (MD -285.76 mL, 95% CI -514.99 mL to -56.53 mL; 5 trials, 241 participants), or vascular surgery (MD -582.00 mL, 95% CI -1264.07 mL to 100.07 mL; 1 trial, 44 participants) is uncertain because the quality of evidence is very low.DDAVP probably leads to little or no difference in all-cause mortality (Peto odds ratio (pOR) 1.09, 95% CI 0.51 to 2.34; 22 trials, 1631 participants) or in thrombotic events (pOR 1.36, 95% CI, 0.85 to 2.16; 29 trials, 1984 participants) (both low-quality evidence). DDAVP versus placebo or no treatment for people with platelet dysfunctionCompared with placebo, DDAVP may lead to a reduction in the total volume of red cells transfused (MD -0.65 units, 95% CI -1.16 to -0.13 units; 6 trials, 388 participants) (low-quality evidence) and in total blood loss (MD -253.93 mL, 95% CI -408.01 mL to -99.85 mL; 7 trials, 422 participants) (low-quality evidence).DDAVP probably leads to little or no difference in the total number of participants receiving a red cell transfusion (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.04; 5 trials, 258 participants) (moderate-quality evidence).Whether DDAVP leads to a difference in all-cause mortality (pOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.12 to 4.22; 7 trials; 422 participants) or in thrombotic events (pOR 1.58, 95% CI 0.60 to 4.17; 7 trials, 422 participants) is uncertain because the quality of evidence is very low. DDAVP versus tranexamic acidCompared with tranexamic acid, DDAVP may increase the volume of blood transfused (MD 0.6 units, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.11 units; 1 trial, 40 participants) and total blood loss (MD 142.81 mL, 95% CI 79.78 mL to 205.84 mL; 2 trials, 115 participants) (both low-quality evidence).Whether DDAVP increases or decreases the total number of participants transfused with blood is uncertain because the quality of evidence is very low (RR 2.42, 95% CI 1.04 to 5.64; 3 trials, 135 participants).No trial reported all-cause mortality.Whether DDAVP leads to a difference in thrombotic events is uncertain because the quality of evidence is very low (pOR 2.92, 95% CI 0.32 to 26.83; 2 trials, 115 participants). DDAVP versus aprotininCompared with aprotinin, DDAVP probably increases the total number of participants transfused with blood (RR 2.41, 95% CI 1.45 to 4.02; 1 trial, 99 participants) (moderate-quality evidence).No trials reported volume of blood transfused or total blood loss and the single trial that included mortality as an outcome reported no deaths.Whether DDAVP leads to a difference in thrombotic events is uncertain because the quality of evidence is very low (pOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.06 to 15.89; 2 trials, 152 participants). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Most of the evidence derived by comparing DDAVP versus placebo was obtained in cardiac surgery, where DDAVP was administered after cardiopulmonary bypass. In adults undergoing cardiac surgery, the reduction in volume of red cells transfused and total blood loss was small and was unlikely to be clinically important. It is less clear whether DDAVP may be of benefit for children and for those undergoing non-cardiac surgery. A key area for researchers is examining the effects of DDAVP for people with platelet dysfunction. Few trials have compared DDAVP versus tranexamic acid or aprotinin; consequently, we are uncertain of the relative efficacy of these interventions.

Alternatives to allogeneic platelet transfusion.

Allogeneic platelet transfusions are widely used for the prevention and treatment of bleeding in thrombocytopenia. Recent evidence suggests platelet transfusions have limited efficacy and are associated with uncertain immunomodulatory risks and concerns about viral or bacterial transmission. Alternatives to transfusion are a well-recognised tenet of Patient Blood Management, but there has been less focus on different strategies to reduce bleeding risk by comparison to platelet transfusion. Direct alternatives to platelet transfusion include agents to stimulate endogenous platelet production (thrombopoietin mimetics), optimising platelet adhesion to endothelium by treating anaemia or increasing von Willebrand factor levels (desmopressin), increasing formation of cross-linked fibrinogen (activated recombinant factor VII, fibrinogen concentrate or recombinant factor XIII), decreasing fibrinolysis (tranexamic acid or epsilon aminocaproic acid) or using artificial or modified platelets (cryopreserved platelets, lyophilised platelets, haemostatic particles, liposomes, engineered nanoparticles or infusible platelet membranes). The evidence base to support the use of these alternatives is variable, but an area of active research. Much of the current randomised controlled trial focus is on evaluation of the use of thrombopoietin mimetics and anti-fibrinolytics. It is also recognised that one alternative strategy to platelet transfusion is choosing not to transfuse at all.

Patterns of blood component use in cirrhosis: a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cirrhosis is a complex acquired disorder of coagulation and frequent indication for transfusion of blood components. We characterised blood component use in patients with cirrhosis and compared this to transfusion guidelines. METHODS: All National Health Service trusts with representation on the British Society of Gastroenterology membership list were invited to take part. Data were collected prospectively on consecutive, unselected, hospitalised admissions with cirrhosis over 28 days. Detailed information was recorded for patients receiving blood components including indication (for bleeding or prophylaxis), type of component, laboratory indices triggering transfusion, complications, thromboembolic events and clinical outcome to day 28. RESULTS: Data on 1313 consecutive patients with cirrhosis were collected from 85 hospitals. A total of 391/1313 (30%) were transfused a blood component; in 238/391 (61%), this was for treatment of bleeding and in 153/391 (39%) for prophylaxis of bleeding. In 48/185 (26%) cases with bleeding, the haemoglobin threshold was >80 g/L prior to red blood cell transfusion. In the prophylaxis group, 238/391 (61%) received transfusion in response to an abnormal haematological value in the absence of any planned procedure. In patients transfused for procedural prophylaxis, 10/34 (29%) received fresh frozen plasma at an International Normalised Ratio lower than the threshold where a benefit would be anticipated. An in-patient thromboembolic event was recorded in 3% (35/1313) and 10% (138/1313) died by day 28. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of hospitalised patients with cirrhosis were transfused. Strategies for Patient Blood Management should include ensuring transfusion practice is consistent with guidelines and greater emphasis on alternatives to transfusion.

Desmopressin for prevention of bleeding for thrombocytopenic, critically ill patients undergoing invasive procedures: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled feasibility trial.

Thrombocytopenic patients have an increased risk of bleeding when undergoing invasive procedures. In a multicentre, phase II, blinded, randomised, controlled feasibility trial, critically ill patients with platelet count 100 × 109/L or less were randomised 1:1 to intravenous desmopressin (0.3 µg/kg) or placebo before an invasive procedure. Forty-three participants (18.8% of those eligible) were recruited, with 41 eligible for analysis. Post-procedure bleeding occurred in one of 22 (4.5%) in the placebo arm and zero of 19 in the desmopressin arm. Despite liberal inclusion criteria, there were significant feasibility challenges recruiting patients in the critical care setting prior to invasive procedures.