Blood Transfusions in Cardiac Surgery: Too Much, Too Soon?

Findings from two studies underline the need for a more cautious transfusion strategy.

According to published guidelines based on clinical experience, perioperative blood transfusions are not beneficial when hemoglobin levels are >10 g/dL. However, other factors such as comorbid conditions and discrete organ ischemia complicate the establishment of clear indications for transfusion. Two new studies address distinct but related aspects of this issue.

In the Transfusion Requirements After Cardiac Surgery (TRACS) trial, 502 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between February 9, 2009, and February 1, 2010, at a single cardiac surgery referral center in São Paolo, Brazil, were randomized to one of two perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategies: liberal transfusion to maintain a hematoc…

Reviewing Author

Beat J. Meyer, MD

Disclosures

Leadership positions in professional societiesBern Heart Foundation (President); International Academy of Medicine, Bern, Switzerland (Director)

Beat J. Meyer, MD

Disclosures

Leadership positions in professional societiesBern Heart Foundation (President); International Academy of Medicine, Bern, Switzerland (Director)