Total hip replacement surgery does not influence RBC survival.
BACKGROUND
RBC survival may be affected by mechanical or oxidative stress as well as the inflammatory effect of surgery, and thus may contribute to postoperative anemia.


METHODS
RBC survival was studied in otherwise healthy patients who underwent total hip replacement (THR). RBCs of five patients scheduled for elective THR surgery were labeled with (51)Cr 2 weeks before the surgical procedure. The disappearance of (51)Cr-labeled RBCs was calculated for the preoperative period and for the period from postoperative Day 4 on, when blood loss had ceased.


RESULTS
The half-life of (51)Cr-labeled RBCs did not change if estimated before (29.0 +/- 4.4 days) and after (27.4 +/- 3.6 days, p = 0.55) surgery. This indicates that the lifespan of RBCs is not influenced by the surgical procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
A decrease in RBC survival does not contribute to the pathogenesis of the anemia found after THR surgery.
van Iperen
C E
CE
Department of Internal Medicine, Eemland Hospital, Amersfoort, the Netherlands. iperen@hemh.azr.nl
van de Wiel
A
A
de Bruin
M
M
Marx
J J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D004905:Erythrocyte Aging / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes