title: Why an alternative to blood transfusion?
abstract: Allogeneic blood transfusions have been associated with several risks and complications and with worse outcomes in a substantial number of patient populations and clinical scenarios. Allogeneic blood is costly and difficult to procure, transport, and store. Global and local shortages are imminent. Alternatives to transfusion provide many advantages, and their use is likely to improve outcomes as safer and more effective agents are developed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, NJ 07631, USA. aryeh.shander@ehmc.com
authors.forename: Aryeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shander
authors.forename: Lawrence Tim
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Goodnough