title: Strategies to reduce the need for peri-operative blood transfusion.
abstract: Therapeutic regimens involving the transfusion of blood components are a matter of debate, not only with regard to patients' safety, but also with regard to cost-effectiveness. The following different measures to reduce the use of blood components and their efficacy are discussed: autologous transfusion, including predonation, isovolaemic haemodilution and peri-operative retransfusion; toleration of a lower haematocrit; and measures to reduce blood loss. In particular, a combination of these methods may be most effective at reducing transfusion needs.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie, Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mertes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Booke
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Aken
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000191:economics; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D065227:Transfusion Reaction