Total Knee Arthroplasty Is Safe in Jehovah's Witness Patients-A 12-Year Perspective.

Despite the evolution of blood management protocols, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) occasionally requires allogeneic blood transfusion. This poses a particular challenge for Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) who believe that the Bible strictly prohibits the use of blood products. The aim of this study was to compare JW and a matched-control cohort of non-JW candidates undergoing TKA to assess the safety using modern blood management protocols. Fifty-five JW patients (63 knees) who underwent TKA at our institution between 2005 and 2017 were matched to 63 non-JW patients (63 knees). Patient demographics, intraoperative details, and postoperative complications including in-hospital complications, revisions, and 90-day readmissions were collected and compared between the groups. Additionally, subgroup analysis was performed comparing JW patients who were administered tranexamic acid (TXA) between the two groups. Baseline demographics did not vary significantly between the study cohorts. The mean follow-up was 3.1 years in both the JW and non-JW cohorts. Postoperative complications, including in-hospital complications (7.9 vs. 4.8%; p = 0.47), revision TKA (1.6 vs. 1.6%; p = 1.00), and 90-day readmission (1.6 vs. 4.8%; p = 0.31) were not significantly different between the JW and non-JW groups. Subgroup analysis demonstrated JW patients who received TXA had a significantly lower decline in postoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) (8.6 vs. 14.0%; p < 0.01). At a follow-up of up to 12 years, JW patients who underwent TKA have outcomes equivalent to non-JW patients without the need for transfusion. Our findings support that surgeons are more likely to optimize JW patients preoperatively with iron and folate supplementation. Despite these variations in preoperative optimization efforts, no significant difference with regard to Hgb or hematocrit levels was demonstrated. Level of evidence is III, retrospective observational study.

Successful embolisation of pelvic fistulating vessels to the prostate arising after TURP - a rare cause of postoperative bleeding.

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is considered the gold-standard operation to treat lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement in men. Postoperative bleeding is a recognised complication and managing it is a core skill required by attending urologists. We report a rare case of postoperative bleeding caused by fistulating vessels to the prostate which developed after TURP. These fistulas arose from the right internal iliac vessels and communicated with pre-existing pelvic varices affecting the right paraprostaticand seminal vesicle tissues. The fistulating vessels were successfully embolised with liquid embolic agent. Surgeons should be aware that persisting haemorrhage can occur post-TURP from the rare presence of fistulating vessels communicating with pelvic varices. Early computed tomography angiographic assessment is warranted in cases where bleeding is prolonged and refractory to standard management in view of timely referral for percutaneous embolisation.

Preoperative Iron Supplementation and Restrictive Transfusion Strategy in Hip Fracture Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture surgery (HFS) is often associated with perioperative blood loss, and it frequently necessitates transfusion. However, the hemoglobin (Hb) threshold for transfusion remains controversial in hip fracture patients. We evaluated the usefulness of the restrictive strategy and preoperative intravenous iron supplementation in HFS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,634 patients (> 60 years of age) who underwent HFS between May 2003 and June 2014 and were followed up for 1 year or more after surgery. We used the liberal transfusion strategy until May 2009 to determine the transfusion threshold; afterwards, we switched to the restrictive transfusion strategy. Patients with the restrictive transfusion strategy (restrictive group) received intravenous iron supplementation before surgery. We compared the transfusion rate, morbidity, and mortality of the restrictive group with those of the patients with the liberal transfusion strategy (liberal group). RESULTS: Preoperative intravenous iron supplementation was not associated with any adverse reactions. The transfusion rate was 65.3% (506/775) in the liberal group and 48.2% (414/859) in the restrictive group (p < 0.001). The mean hospital stay was shorter in the restrictive group (21.5 vs. 28.8 days, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the postoperative medical complications including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular event. Mortality at postoperative 30, 60, and 90 days was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our blood management protocol involving restrictive strategy combined with preoperative intravenous iron supplementation appears to be effective and safe in HFS of elderly patients.

Impact of intraoperative high-volume autologous blood collection on allogeneic transfusion during and after cardiac surgery: a propensity score matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative use of allogeneic blood products is associated with higher morbidity, mortality, and hospital costs after cardiac surgery. Blood conservation techniques such as acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) report variable success. We hypothesized that large-volume ANH with limited hemodilution would reduce allogeneic blood transfusion compared to the standard practice. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study of cardiac surgery patients at the University of Maryland Medical Center between January 2014 and September 2017. Using the institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons database 91 autologous and 981 control patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, or both were identified. After propensity matching of 13 preoperative characteristics, 84 autologous and 84 control patients were evaluated. Our primary endpoint was avoidance of blood transfusion during index hospitalization, and secondary endpoints were postoperative bleeding and major adverse outcomes. RESULTS: The median harvest volumes in the ANH and control groups were 1100 mL and 400 mL, respectively. Of the ANH group, 25% received any transfusion versus 45.2% of the control group after propensity score matching (p < 0.006). When controlling for preoperative platelet count, the transfusion rate ratios for ANH were 0.58 (95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.88) for RBCs and 0.63 (0.44-0.89) for non-RBC components, which were both found to be statistically significant. There was no difference found in major adverse events. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that large-volume ANH is beneficial in reducing both RBC and non-RBC component usage in cardiac surgery. A further prospective validation is warranted.

Aspirin versus rivaroxaban in postoperative bleeding after total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective case-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) is a complication not uncommon following total knee arthroplasty. Postoperative bleeding-related complications are a concern in many guidelines. The authors aimed to compare the amount of postoperative drainage from closed suction drainage, transfusion rate, and postoperative complications between aspirin and rivaroxaban as VTE prophylaxes after total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: This study was a retrospective case-matched study of 155 patients. The data were collected between 2008 and 2015 from patients who had total knee arthroplasty using aspirin or rivaroxaban as the VTE prophylaxis. Seventy-nine patients received aspirin, and 76 patients received rivaroxaban. A single surgeon operated on all patients with the same surgical technique and patient care protocol. RESULTS: The total closed suction drainage outputs at 48 h were not significantly different between the aspirin and rivaroxaban groups (p = 0.10). Eighteen percent of patients in the aspirin group and 25% of patients in the rivaroxaban group received blood transfusions (p = 0.37). There were no bleeding-related complications or VTE in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin and rivaroxaban were effective and safe as VTE chemoprophylaxis in total knee arthroplasty.

Use of autologous umbilical cord blood transfusion in neonates undergoing surgical correction of congenital cardiac defects: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion requirement during neonatal open heart surgeries is universal. Homologous blood transfusion (HBT) in pediatric cardiac surgery is used most commonly for priming of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) system and for postoperative transfusion. To avoid the risks associated with HBT in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery, use of autologous umbilical cord blood (AUCB) transfusion has been described. We present our experience with the use of AUCB for neonatal cardiac surgery. DESIGNS AND METHODS: Consecutive neonates scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery for various cardiac diseases who had a prenatal diagnosis made on the basis of a fetal echocardiography were included in this prospective observational study. After a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section, UCB was collected from the placenta in a 150-mL bag containing 5 mL of citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine-1 solution. The collected bag with 70-75 mL cord blood was stored at 2°C-6°C and tested for blood grouping and infections after proper labeling. The neonate's autologous cord blood was used for postcardiac surgery blood transfusion to replace postoperative blood loss. RESULTS: AUCB has been used so far at our institute in 10 neonates undergoing cardiac surgery. The donor exposure in age and type of cardiac surgery-matched controls showed that the neonates not receiving autologous cord blood had a donor exposure to 5 donors (2 packed red blood cells [PRBCs], including 1 for CPB prime and 1 for postoperative loss, 1 fresh frozen plasma, 1 cryoprecipitate, and 1 platelet concentrate) compared to 1 donor for the AUCB neonate (1 PRBC for the CPB prime). Postoperative blood loss was similar in both the groups of matched controls and study group. Values of hemoglobin, total leukocyte count, platelet counts, and blood gas parameters were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: Use of AUCB for replacement of postoperative blood loss after neonatal cardiac surgery is feasible and reduces donor exposure to the neonate. Its use, however, requires a prenatal diagnosis of a cardiac defect by fetal echo and adequate logistic and psychological support from involved clinicians and the blood bank.

Postoperative care after tonsillectomy: what's the evidence?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current literature regarding postoperative management after tonsillectomy in children. RECENT FINDINGS: Controversy remains regarding the ideal medication regimen to manage pain after tonsillectomy. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are routinely used, although concerns of more severe postoperative hemorrhage with ibuprofen remain. Narcotics are prescribed commonly, but with extreme caution in children with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Although not always utilized by the authors, additional adjunctive medications such as perioperative dexamethasone, ketamine, and local infiltration of lidocaine into tonsillar pillars may decrease postoperative pain. Systematic reviews have shown that dexamethasone does not increase risk of posttonsillectomy bleeding. SUMMARY: Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most common procedures performed on children and may have significant morbidity from postoperative pain and bleeding. Managing pain remains challenging and the optimal treatment regimen has not been definitively identified. Many medications and alternative therapies have been studied and suggest possible benefit.

Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage After Sacral Neurostimulator Placement for Urgency Urinary Incontinence.

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is an effective therapy for patients who experience urinary incontinence, idiopathic urinary retention, and fecal incontinence. Although typically a low-risk procedure, rarely, it can be associated with significant hemorrhage. A 61-year-old woman on chronic anticoagulation underwent uncomplicated implantation of SNM for refractory urgency urinary incontinence. Anticoagulation was held on the day of surgery and resumed on postoperative day 1. On postoperative day 2, the patient developed an extensive retroperitoneal hemorrhage. This was successfully treated by angioembolization of the left lateral sacral artery with the InterStim device left in situ. At 6-month follow-up, the device was functioning properly, and the patient's urinary symptoms were well controlled. Retroperitoneal hemorrhage is a rare complication after SNM placement. Conservative management with angioembolization should be considered as a first-line approach.

The efficacy of intraoperative autologous platelet gel in total knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Autologous platelet gel, developed from fresh autologous blood, is a breakthrough in the promotion and acceleration of soft tissue and bone repair. The application of autologous platelet gel has been reported to improve haemostasis and promote function recovery. We screened the randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials of high quality to investigate whether autologous platelet gel makes a better performance for postoperative bleeding and functional recovery in patients after total knee arthroplasty. METHOD: The Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed databases were comprehensively searched. A total of 1234 patients with 1333 knees were included in the twelve studies. The PRISMA guidelines and Cochrane Handbook were applied to appraise the results published in all included studies. Review Manager 5.3 for Windows was used to analyse the extracted data. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the autologous platelet gel group showed a significant decrease in visual analogue scale. No significant differences were found in the drop of haemoglobin, knee society score, Western ontario mcmaster osteoarthritis index, length of hospital stay, postoperative narcotics, and range of motion during post-operative follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, APG offers superior pain control after total knee arthroplasties. However, APG has no advantage in blood loss, functional recovery, postoperative narcotics and length of stay. The use of autologous platelet gel is not worthy of being recommended as a bioactive autologous material to improve the clinical outcomes in total knee arthroplasty patients.

Autotransfusion in dogs using a 2-syringe technique.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the successful use of an autotransfusion technique utilizing 2 syringes in 4 dogs. CASE SERIES SUMMARY: All 4 dogs in this series had a hemoabdomen and subsequent hypovolemic shock. During surgery blood was collected from the abdominal cavity by the surgeon and passed to an assistant. The blood was then transferred to a second syringe for direct IV administration. The blood was passed through an inline blood filter prior to reaching the patient. Given the transfusion volume and administration time frame, 3 cases were classified as a massive transfusion. All 4 dogs survived the transfusion, were discharged within 3 days of surgery/transfusion and no complications were noted. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This case series describes a relatively simple method of performing an autotransfuion in patients with hemoabdomen and hypovolemic shock.

Post-Transurethral Resection of the Prostate Inflation of Pressure-Controlled Endorectal Balloon-Impact on Postoperative Bleeding: A Preliminary Experimental Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of rectal balloon (RB) inflation on post-transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) bleeding in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, patients who were eligible for TURP were randomized into two equal groups, depending on whether they received postoperative endorectal balloon (RB) (GII) or not (GI). The tip of three-way Foley catheter was fixed to a balloon by a blaster strip to prepare air-tight RB. Postoperatively, the RB was inflated for 15 minutes by a pressure-controlled sphygmomanometer. Perioperative data were compared between both groups, including hemoglobin (Hb) deficit 24-hour postoperatively and at time of discharge. Functional outcomes, anorectal complaints, and adverse events were assessed perioperatively and after 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: Fifty patients were enrolled, including 13 (26%) patients who presented with indwelling urethral catheters. Baseline data and mean resected tissue weight were comparable between both groups, including preoperative Hb (p = 0.17). Immediate postoperative Hb deficit was, comparable between GI and GII patients (0.58 ± 0.18 vs 0.60 ± 0.2, p = 0.56) before RB inflation, respectively. However, compared to GI patients, mean Hb deficit significantly decreased in GII patients 24-hour postoperatively (0.2 ± 0.2 vs 0.7 ± 0.3 g, p = 0.002) and at time of discharge (0.8 ± 0.2 vs 1.3 ± 0.4 g, p = 0.003). GII patients needed significantly less postoperative irrigation (2.1 ± 1.6 vs 8.3 ± 1.8 L, p < 0.001), shorter catheterization time (2.3 ± 0.8 vs 3.8 ± 1.3 days, p < 0.001), and shorter hospital stay (2.6 ± 0.5 vs 4.3 ± 1.0 days, p < 0.001). Both groups were comparable in all functional outcomes at the most recent follow-up. Blood transfusion was needed in only one patient (4%) in GI. No patient needed recystoscopy for hematuria or clot retention in either group, while there were no anorectal complaints reported by GII patients. CONCLUSIONS: Post-TURP endorectal balloon inflation seems to be simple, safe, and an efficient procedure to reduce postoperative bleeding and irrigation volume. It is significantly associated with shorter catheterization time and hospital stay.

Postoperative bleeding risk for oral surgery under continued rivaroxaban anticoagulant therapy.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of postoperative bleeding complications after oral procedures performed under continued mono or dual anticoagulation therapy with rivaroxaban (and aspirin). METHODS: This retrospective single-center observational study included 52 oral procedures performed under continued oral anticoagulant therapy with rivaroxaban (20 mg/day). Among them, two procedures were performed under continued dual therapy with aspirin (100 mg/day) added to the regimen. Postoperative bleeding events were compared with 285 oral procedures in patients without any anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy. RESULTS: Postoperative bleeding complications after oral surgery occurred significantly more often in patients under continued rivaroxaban therapy (11.5 %) than in the control cases without anticoagulation/antiplatelet medication (0.7 %). All of the bleeding events were manageable: Two of them were treated with local compression, three by applying new fibrin glue with (one case) or without (two cases) secondary sutures, one occurred during a weekend and was therefore treated under inpatient conditions with suture replacement. All postoperative bleeding episodes occurred during the first postoperative week. CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, continued anticoagulation therapy with rivaroxaban significantly increases postoperative bleeding risk for oral surgical procedures, although the bleeding events were manageable. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral surgeons, cardiologists, general physicians, and patients should be aware of the increased bleeding risk after oral surgical procedures. Close observation up to 1 week postoperatively is advisable to prevent excessive bleeding.

Foro de debate: seguridad de las alternativas a la transfusión alogénica en el paciente quirúrgico y/o crítico / Forum for debate: Safety of allogeneic blood transfusion alternatives in the surgical/critically ill patient

Estos últimos años han aparecido alertas de seguridad, no siempre bien sustentadas, que cuestionan el uso de algunas alternativas farmacológicas a la transfusión de sangre alogénica y/o lo restringen en indicaciones establecidas. Asistimos también a la preconización de otras alternativas, incluyendo productos hemáticos y fármacos antifibrinolíticos, sin que haya una base científica sólida que lo justifique. Por iniciativa del Grupo de Estudios Multidisciplinares sobre Autotransfusión y del Anemia Working Group España se reunió a un panel multidisciplinar de 23 expertos del área de cuidados de la salud en un foro de debate para: 1) analizar las diferentes alertas de seguridad en torno a ciertas alternativas a la transfusión; 2) estudiar los antecedentes que las han propiciado, la evidencia que las sustentan y las consecuencias que conllevan para la práctica clínica, y 3) emitir una valoración argumentada de la seguridad de cada alternativa a la transfusión cuestionada, según el uso clínico de la misma. Los integrantes del foro mantuvieron contactos por vía telemática y una reunión presencial en la que presentaron y discutieron las conclusiones sobre cada uno de los elementos examinados. Se elaboró un primer documento que fue sometido a 4 rondas de revisión y actualización hasta alcanzar un consenso, unánime en la mayoría de los casos. Presentamos la versión final del documento, aprobada por todos los miembros del panel, esperando sea de utilidad para nuestros colegas

In recent years, several safety alerts have questioned or restricted the use of some pharmacological alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion in established indications. In contrast, there seems to be a promotion of other alternatives, based on blood products and/or antifibrinolytic drugs, which lack a solid scientific basis. The Multidisciplinary Autotransfusion Study Group and the Anemia Working Group España convened a multidisciplinary panel of 23 experts belonging to different healthcare areas in a forum for debate to: 1) analyze the different safety alerts referred to certain transfusion alternatives; 2) study the background leading to such alternatives, the evidence supporting them, and their consequences for everyday clinical practice, and 3) issue a weighted statement on the safety of each questioned transfusion alternative, according to its clinical use. The members of the forum maintained telematics contact for the exchange of information and the distribution of tasks, and a joint meeting was held where the conclusions on each of the items examined were presented and discussed. A first version of the document was drafted, and subjected to 4 rounds of review and updating until consensus was reached (unanimously in most cases). We present the final version of the document, approved by all panel members, and hope it will be useful for our colleagues

[Implementation of blood sparing programs in Spain: results of a survey of departments of anesthesiology and resuscitation]. / Implementación de los programas de ahorro de sangre en España: resultados de la encuesta a los servicios de anestesiología y reanimación.

The objective of this article is to determine the availability of a perioperative transfusion management program (Patient Blood Management [PBM]) in various hospitals through a survey that included a description of the preanesthesia visit, the availability and use of the various blood-sparing techniques and the factors limiting their implementation in elective surgery. The survey included 42 questions, directed at the representative departments of anesthesiology of hospitals in Spain (n=91). The survey was conducted from September to November 2012. We analyzed the 82 surveys in which all the questions were answered (90%). Preoperative consultations are routinely performed (>70%) in 87% of the hospitals. The time from the consultation to surgery varied between 1 week and 2 months for 74% of the patients scheduled for orthopedic or trauma surgery, 78% of those scheduled for oncologic surgery and 77% of those scheduled for cardiac surgery. Almost all hospitals (77, 94%) had a transfusion committee, and 90% of them had an anesthesiologist on the committee. Seventy-nine percent of the hospitals had a blood-sparing program, and the most widely used technique was the use of antifibrinolytic agents (75% of hospitals), followed by intraoperative and postoperative blood recovery in equal proportions (67%). Optimization of preoperative hemoglobin was routinely performed with intravenous iron in 39% of the hospitals and with recombinant erythropoietin in 28% of the hospitals. The absence of a well-established circuit and the lack of involvement and collaboration with the surgical team were the main limiting factors in implementing PBM. Currently, the implementation of PBM in Spain could be considered acceptable, but it could also be improved, especially in the treatment of preoperative anemia. The implementation of PBM requires multidisciplinary collaboration among all personnel responsible for perioperative care, including the health authorities.

Cell salvage during coronary artery bypass surgery and allogenic blood exposure.

AIM: Our primary aim was to assess the impact of intraoperative cell saver usage on patient exposure to allogenic blood transfusion during elective coronary artery bypass. The secondary endpoint was the impact of cell savage on the units of blood and blood products transfused perioperatively. METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study with a historical cohort as a control group was performed in a single tertiary care center. One hundred and twenty-four patients undergoing primary on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were included. Intraoperative cell salvage was performed in 60 patients (study group) but not in the control group (n = 64). Transfusion data, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, and postoperative complications were evaluated in the cell saver and control groups. RESULTS: The number of patients exposed to allogenic red blood cell transfusion was significantly less in the study group (55% vs. 82.8%; p = 0.001) and the units per patient was also less in the study group (1.10 ± 1.7 vs. 2.25 ± 2.289 units; p = 0.002). However, there was no significant difference in terms of units of purified plasma fraction, platelets, or cryoprecipitate transfused. Intensive care unit stay, total hospital stay, number of reexplorations, complications, readmissions, and 28-day mortality were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative cell salvage with a cell saver in patients undergoing primary elective coronary artery bypass decreases the proportion of patients exposed to allogenic red cell transfusions and the number of units of red blood cells transfused.

Ankaferd blood stopper decreases postoperative bleeding and number of transfusions in patients treated with clopidogrel: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The risk of reoperation due to bleeding after open heart surgery is 2.2%-4.2%. Patients who undergo reoperation have a two to six times greater mortality rate. Risk factors for reoperation include: older age, low body mass index, time on extracorporeal circulation, and emergency operations. In coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients who are treated preoperatively with antiplatelets, including clopidogrel, the source of postoperative bleeding may be difficult to detect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of local Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) to prevent mediastinal bleeding in CABG patients who were treated with clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) preoperatively. METHODS: Twenty-five emergency CABG patients premedicated with clopidogrel and ASA as antiplatelet drugs were included in the study (Group 1). An additional twenty-five patients who were premedicated with the same antiplatelet agents were selected as a control group (Group 2). Preoperative clinical characteristics of the two groups were comparable. At the end of the surgery, 4-10 mL of ABS solution was sprayed on the mediastinal and epicardial tissue following protamine administration in Group1. We compared postoperative total mediastinal bleeding, reoperation rate and total blood and blood products transfused between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no mortality in either of the two groups. Mean postoperative bleeding was 430 mL in the ABS group, and 690 mL in the CG group (P = .044). In the ICU, bleeding in groups 1 and 2 was 610 mL and 980 mL, respectively (P = .025); total bleeding from the mediastinum was 830 mL and 1490 mL, respectively (P = .001) and the amount of autotransfusion was 210 mL and 400 mL (P = .003). Total transfusion of PRBCs in the operating room in groups 1 and 2 was 0.3 and 0.8, respectively (P = .003). No patients in the ABS group needed surgical revision due to severe bleeding or cardiac tamponade. CONCLUSION: The use of local ABS reduces bleeding, transfusion requirements of packed red blood cells, platelets and total blood units in patients premedicated with clopidogrel and ASA undergoing emergent CABG .

Effect of a single injection of tranexamic acid on blood loss after primary hybrid TKA.

BACKGROUND: Control of perioperative blood loss is important in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), especially cementless or hybrid TKA. There is increasing interest in the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) for this purpose, however, studies to date have mainly evaluated the effects of various TXA administration regimens on patients who have undergone cemented TKA. We sought to determine (1) whether administration of TXA reduces blood loss after hybrid TKA, and (2) whether an autologous blood reinfusion system is necessary in TKA patients who are treated with TXA. METHODS: Ninety-five patients (100 knees) who underwent hybrid primary TKA (cemented tibia, uncemented femur) were included in this study. The initial 50 knees were treated without TXA and the following 50 were treated with TXA. Intravenous TXA (1000 mg) was administered shortly before deflation of the tourniquet. All continuous variables were expressed as median values. RESULTS: Total volumes of blood lost at postoperative 1 day were 590 mL and 150 mL and autotransfusion of collected blood was performed in 88% and 16% of patients in the without and with TXA groups, respectively. A median volume of 400 mL of collected blood was returned to the patients in the without TXA group, and 0 mL to the patients in the with TXA group. The calculated volumes of blood lost were 761 mL and 683 mL (p=0.2250), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: One intravenous injection of 1000 mg TXA may help to control postoperative blood loss and reduce the need for postoperative autologous blood reinfusion after hybrid TKA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Red blood cell salvage during obstetric hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To describe which obstetric patients lose enough blood during postpartum hemorrhage to receive a reinfusion of intraoperative blood salvage. METHODS: Eight years of intraoperative blood salvage data from a regional tertiary care maternity hospital were analyzed. The volume of blood returned through intraoperative blood salvage was standardized to the volume of red blood cells in an allogeneic red blood cell unit from the blood bank. RESULTS: There were 884 obstetric hemorrhage cases in which intraoperative blood salvage was utilized. Sufficient blood was collected by intraoperative blood salvage to permit reinfusion in 189 of 884 (21%) patients. For patients in whom intraoperative blood salvage blood was reinfused, the mean ± standard deviation number of reinfused shed blood units was 1.2 ± 1.1 units. Although intraoperative blood salvage was most commonly performed on patients who underwent routine cesarean delivery (748/884 patients), only 13% of these patients received an intraoperative blood salvage reinfusion; 73% of the patients undergoing cesarean hysterectomy, 69% of those who had bleeding after cesarean delivery, and 53% of the patients who bled after vaginal delivery received an intraoperative blood salvage reinfusion (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Although intraoperative blood salvage was attempted on many patients, on only 21% of the women was a sufficient amount of intraoperative shed blood collected to proceed with reinfusion. Patients who experienced bleeding or who underwent a cesarean hysterectomy were the most likely to receive a reinfusion of intraoperative blood salvage-processed blood.

Assessment of the introduction of a blood management program in orthopaedic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of implementing a Patient Blood management program (PBM) on transfusion rates, hospital stay, and complications for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was conducted in Araba University Hospital from 2006 to 2011. All THA and TKA were included. The percentage of patients transfused with allogeneic blood was the primary endpoint. The mean of transfused blood bags, overall transfusion, complications (both overall and specific), patient age and sex, pre-operative and discharge hemoglobin, and hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 825 THA and 875 TKA were included. Both THA (47.6% in 2006 and 30.6% in 2011; P=.013) and TKA (33.6% in 2006 and 16.2% in 2011; P<.001) showed a significant decrease of allogeneic transfusion. The overall transfusion rate was also reduced in THA (65.7% in 2006 and 39.5% in 2011; P<.001) and TKA (38.3% in 2006 and 17.2% in 2011; P<.001). Hospital stay was reduced in both types of surgeries (P<.038 in THA and P<.0001 in TKA). In 2006 it was 9.2±2.9 days for THA and 11.1±4.7 days for TKA, whereas in 2011 it was 8.7±4.2 and 9.5±3.4 days for THA and TKA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our patient blood management has decreased the percentage of patients that need both allogeneic and autologous transfusion in a statistically significant way. Although the mean hospital stay decreased, the impact of the PBM cannot be established.

[A WHO concept- patient blood management]. / Ein WHO Konzept - Patient Blood Management.

Blood transfusions are in general considered as lifesaving. Current data and evidence show, that blood transfusions are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and this apparently dose-dependent. Basic research and results from randomized controlled trials show a causal relationship between blood transfusion and adverse outcome. Based on the current state of knowledge it has to be questioned that blood transfusions are "life-saving" as patients are exposed to an increased risk of disease or death. Furthermore, blood transfusions are more costly than previously assumed. For these reasons novel approaches in the treatment of anemia and bleeding are needed. Patient Blood Management (PBM) allows reduction of transfusion rates by correcting anemia by stimulating erythropoiesis, minimizing perioperative blood loss and optimizing the physiological tolerance of anemia. In 2010 the World Health Organization has claimed PBM to be considered as golden standard. PBM reduces morbidity and mortality by lowering the excessive use of blood transfusions. This concept has partially and successfully been implemented in the University Hospital Balgrist in Zurich.

A l'heure actuelle les transfusions sanguines sont généralement considérées comme salvatrices. Les données actuelles par contre montrent que les transfusions sanguines sont associées, et cela clairement en fonction des doses appliquées, à une morbidité et mortalité augmentées. Outre différentes tentatives d'explication fournies par la recherche fondamentale, les résultats récents d'études contrôlées et randomisées ont clairement démontré qu'il s'agit d'une relation de cause à effet. Pour cela l'opinion que des transfusions sanguines sont salvatrices doit être revue de façon critique car ce traitement peut promouvoir des maladies et même représenter un danger vital. En plus les transfusions sanguines génèrent des coûts beaucoup plus élevés que présumé jusqu'à présent. En cas d'anémie ou de saignement de nouveaux concepts de traitements comme le «patient blood management¼ (PBM) sont indispensables et essentiels. Le PBM réduit la nécessité de transfusions en corrigeant l'anémie par des substances stimulant l'érythropoïèse, en réduisant les pertes sanguines durant l'intervention chirurgicale et en augmentant la tolérance physiologique de l'anémie. Une résolution de l'organisation mondiale de la santé en 2010 exige que le PBM soit considéré comme «le golden standard¼ pour le traitement des patients. La réduction de l'utilisation de produits sanguins peut clairement diminuer la mortalité et morbidité. Depuis que le concept a partiellement été introduit à l'hôpital universitaire Balgrist, Zurich et montre clairement des résultats positifs.