AUTO-TRANSFUSION OF SHED MEDIASTINAL BLOOD AFTER CARDIAC-SURGERY - PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Abstract

In a randomized prospective study of patients having cardiac surgery, autologous blood collected from mediastinal tubes was autotransfused preferentially in 63 patients (ATS); 51 patients received bank blood for transfusion (control). Comparison of the 2 groups showed no significant difference in regard to age, sex, operations performed or total postoperative bleeding (ATS 813 .+-. 121 ml/m2 vs. control 711 .+-. 93 ml/m2). Although mean postoperative blood replacement was similar in the 2 groups (ATS 4.3 .+-. 0.6 units per patient vs. control 4.8 .+-. 0.6 units per patient), requirements for transfusion of stored bank blood were reduced by 50% in the ATS group (ATS 2.4 .+-. 0.3 units per patient vs. control 4.8 .+-. 0.6 units per patient; P < 0.005). Coagulation studies demonstrated that this blood was defibrinogenated; yet it contains significantly more platelets and clotting factors than bank blood. Autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood was safe and simple.