title: The use of cell salvage in routine cardiac surgery is ineffective and not cost-effective and should be reserved for selected cases.
abstract: The reported benefits of intraoperative cell salvage are decreased requirement for blood transfusion and cost-effectiveness. This study was designed to challenge this hypothesis. We assessed intraoperative blood loss and the use of cell saver in our institution. In <7% of cases the volume of blood loss was sufficient enough to be washed and returned. We conclude that the routine use of cell savers in all cardiac operations affords no benefit and consumes additional revenue. We recommend that the system only be considered in selected high-risk cases or complex procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Thomas Drive, Liverpool L18 8FE, UK. saina.attaran@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Saina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Attaran
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McIlroy
authors.forename: Brian M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Fabri
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pullan
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004739:England; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D057725:Operative Blood Salvage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome