Increased interleukin-6 in collected drainage blood after total knee arthroplasty: an association with febrile reactions during retransfusion.
We determined interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations in collected shed drainage blood intended for retransfusion in a prospective study in 81 patients after total knee replacement. We found large increases in IL-6 levels, averaging 6.5 (SD 3.9) ng/mL, in shed blood collected in the first 6 postoperative hours. 3 patients had febrile reactions after collected blood was retransfused. The IL-6 levels in the drainage blood of these patients were very high (9.6-13.4 ng/mL). In the blood collected after 6 hours, IL-6 concentrations increased to 47 (SD 33) ng/mL (p < 0.001). These results suggest a relation between increased interleukin-6 concentrations in shed drainage blood and the occurrence of febrile reactions after retransfusion of such blood.
Handel
M
M
Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany. martin.handel@freenet.de
Winkler
J
J
Hörnlein
R F
RF
Northoff
H
H
Heeg
P
P
Teschner
M
M
Sell
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies
D015850:Interleukin-6