Integrated strategies for allogeneic blood saving in major elective surgery.
BACKGROUND
Large use of allogeneic red blood cell concentrates (RBCc), albeit necessary in major surgery, may influence patients' outcome.


METHODS
We introduced an integrated strategy including patients' evaluation and supplementation associated with autologous blood collection and saving to support major elective surgery at our hospital since 2008. After 2 years of stabilization of this approach, we analyzed the results obtained in 2010 in terms of allogeneic blood usage and reduction of transfusion of stored RBCc.


RESULTS
Analyzing 2010 results we found that usage of total autologous RBCc units was increased by 2.2 folds, of "not stored" autologous RBCc units by 2.4 folds and of allogeneic RBCc unit transfusion reduced by 65%. The significant reduction in the number of transfused allogeneic RBCc units associated with the use of "fresher" blood could prevent patients' complications due to immunomodulation and biologic/metabolic disregulation.
Department of Transfusion Medicine, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy. mrondinelli@scamilloforlanini.rm.it
Maria Beatrice
MB
Rondinelli
Francesco
F
Pallotta
Sandro
S
Rossetti
Francesco
F
Musumeci
Antonio
A
Menichetti
Franco
F
Bianco
Marco
M
Gaffi
Luca
L
Pierelli
D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000379:methods*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies