Blood conservation in revision total hip arthroplasty

Blood loss from major orthopedic procedures such as spine and revision total joint arthroplasty often necessitates perioperative blood transfusion. The risk of infectious disease transmission associated with homologous blood transfusion, particularly hepatitis and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, mandates use of blood conservation techniques. Methods available to the orthopedic surgeon include preoperative autologous donation, intraoperative and postoperative blood salvage, hemodilution, and other selective anesthetic techniques such as hypotensive anesthesia and epidural or spinal anesthesia. The safest blood patients can receive is their own. With full use of these blood conservation methods, the need for homologous blood transfusion for elective orthopedic procedures should be minimal.

A randomized trial on the efficacy of an autologous blood drainage and transfusion device in patients undergoing elective knee arthroplasty

The purpose of the study reported here was the determination of the efficacy of a postoperative autologous blood drainage and transfusion device in reducing allogeneic red cell requirements in patients undergoing elective knee arthroplasty. The study was a randomized controlled trial with adult patients undergoing unilateral elective arthroplastic knee surgery. Patients underwent suction drainage, attached to an autologous blood drainage and transfusion device, or standard suction drainage. Allogeneic red cells were given according to strict transfusion guidelines based on blood loss and postoperative hemoglobin values. Outcome measures included the mean number of allogeneic red cell concentrates required and the number of patients in each group who required no transfusion. Patients assigned to standard suction drainage had a mean allogeneic red cell utilization of 1.2 units (SD 1.0), as compared to a mean of 0.4 units (SD 0.8) in the group undergoing drainage with the autologous blood drainage and transfusion device (p = 0.0007). The percentage of patients not requiring allogeneic red cells was significantly higher in the latter group (74.3% vs. 32.5%; p = 0.002). The postoperative drainage and transfusion device was efficacious in reducing the amount of allogeneic red cells required by patients undergoing knee arthroplasty, and its use resulted in a 42 percent reduction in the number of patients requiring allogeneic transfusion.

[Autologous blood transfusions in interventions of the pelvis using the cell saver]

From July 1990 to September 1991 we used the cell-saver for autologous intraoperative retransfusion in 8 radical prostatectomies, 5 cystectomies and one adenomenucleation. Postoperatively we tolerated a hemoglobin fall up to 10 g/100 ml. Doing it without heterologous blood was possible in 7 out of 14 patients. In all of them the preoperative hemoglobin was higher than 13 g/100 ml and the blood loss did not exceed 3000 ml.

Autotransfusion in trauma: a comparison of two systems

Autotransfusion is a potentially valuable tool in the resuscitation of hypovolemic trauma patients; its acceptance in this setting has been limited by fears of the induction of coagulopathic and septic complications. It has been inferred that the addition of a cell washing step would obviate these concerns but at the cost of speed. To assess the validity of these concerns, we have retrospectively compared two autotransfusion devices: one without (the modified Bentley device) and one with (the Baylor Rapid Autologous Transfusion system) a cell washing step, over a 48-month period. In the Bentley group (n = 13), the mean estimated blood loss was 8,423 ml and the mean amount of blood autotransfused was 1,826 ml. Overall, the device returned 0.54 units of whole blood for every unit of banked blood used. Sixty-two per cent of these severely injured individuals died. Among survivors, there was a 20 per cent incidence of significant complications. In the BRAT group (n = 13), the mean estimated blood loss was 11,177 ml and the mean amount of blood autotransfused was 3,681 ml. Overall, the device returned 0.82 units of washed, packed red blood cells for every unit of banked blood used. Overall mortality was 26 per cent, and 30 per cent of survivors had complications. While we have been unable to demonstrate an advantage of the cell washing step, there is no evidence that this step in this unit limited the rate or volume of autologous blood replacement.

[The efficacy of the ultraviolet irradiation of the blood in the combined treatment of erysipelatous inflammation]

An experience with treatment of 1527 patients with different forms of erysipelas is analyzed. Under study were clinical data, nonspecific resistance parameters, peripheral and central hemodynamics and viscosity of blood. Ultraviolet irradiation of blood is an effective method of pathogenetical treatment of erysipelas which results in rapid arrest of local and general symptoms of the disease. The number of complications and recurrences was reduced.

[Blood reinfusion in penetrating gunshot wounds of the abdomen]

On the basis of literature and their own experience in performing the reinfusion of bacteria-contaminated blood in 20 patients with gunshot penetrating abdominal injuries the authors make a conclusion that in critical cases there are no alternative to application of reinfusion. The article gives clinical examples and contains data concerning the character of lesions. Indications and counter-indications for reinfusion are enclosed.

[The use of photomodified blood in oncology]

Under study was the influence of different regimens of blood photomodification on the course of the tumor process. Experiments were carried out on 460 syngeneic mice with a model of Lewis adenocarcinoma of lungs and melanoma B 16. It was established that the influence of APMB on the course of the tumor process is dose-dependent and when specially selected the regimen of APMB may have an antitumoral effect. The transfusion of the photomodified donor blood may facilitate the suppression of antitumoral immune reaction of the recipient organism.

Postoperative orthopaedic blood salvage and reinfusion

Minimal use of homologous blood is a desirable goal for both patients and health care providers. This article discusses one adjunctive technique that is used for the orthopaedic patient, postoperative blood salvage and reinfusion, and the implications for nurses.

Efficacy, complications, and cost of a comprehensive blood conservation program for cardiac operations

We reviewed blood use in 118 consecutive patients who underwent primary, elective cardiac operations in 1989. In June 1989 we initiated a blood conservation program that included attempts to limit preoperative aspirin use, intraoperative phlebotomy and hemodilution, use of a cell conservation device (Electromedics, Inc., Englewood, Colo.) to concentrate residual oxygenator contents, reinfusion of chest drainage, and acceptance of a minimum hemoglobin level of 8.0 gm/dl in stable patients. Patient characteristics were similar for patients operated on both before (n = 58) and after (n = 60) initiation of the blood conservation program, except for age and preoperative aspirin use (both greater in postconservation patients). Fewer blood products were transfused (5.8 +/- 5.7 units per patient before conservation versus 4.0 +/- 7.4 units per patient after conservation; p = 0.005). More complete data were available for 82 patients (40 patients before conservation and 42 after conservation). In the postconservation patients, 20 of 42 had 575 +/- 140 ml of blood withdrawn before cardiopulmonary bypass and reinfused afterward, 26 of 42 had 806 +/- 376 ml of blood processed with the cell conservation device returned, and 21 of 42 patients had an average of 287 +/- 127 ml of chest drainage reinfused. Chest tube drainage, postoperative hematologic parameters, and the prevalence of complications were not significantly different between groups. Stepwise linear regression analysis identified intraoperative withdrawal of blood before cardiopulmonary bypass, bypass duration, and preoperative hematocrit value as predictors of blood use. Intraoperative withdrawal of blood before cardiopulmonary bypass is an important conservation measure, and its use should be expanded.

[Separation of urologic tumors cells from Cell Saver blood using a membrane filter. A new method in autotransfusion?]

Tumor cells of three urological longterm cell lines have been labelled with 35[S]-Methionin and added to red cell concentrates. Red cell concentrates rich in tumor cells were passed through a cell saver and two special membranfilters under standard conditions. The 35[S]-Methionin labelled tumor cells were detected by liquid scintillation counting. On an average, only 0.027% of the radioactivity was left after passing through the cell saver and the membran filters in the 12 experiments. If investigations in clinical use of cell-saver and membran filter confirm these results, there will be significant consequences in urological tumor surgery by the possibility of transfusing the salvaged autologous blood.

Bacteriologic and endotoxin analysis of salvaged blood used in autologous transfusions during cardiac operations

Autologous blood transfusion is a common method of reducing the need for heterologous blood transfusion during cardiac operations. Recently we investigated an outbreak of severe, nonsurgical postoperative bleeding among patients undergoing heart operations and receiving intraoperative transfusion of blood from a cell conservation device (Cell Saver System, Haemonetics Corp., Braintree, Mass.). As a result of this investigation, we conducted a prospective study to determine if bacterial or endotoxin contamination of the blood collected in the Cell Saver System and used for reinfusion during heart operations contributes to postoperative bleeding complications. Patients' blood samples were collected immediately before operation, at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass, 1 hour postoperatively, and from the Cell Saver System. All blood samples were cultured for bacteria, and all plasma samples were assayed for endotoxin. Preoperatively all patients having heart operations were without signs of infection, 33 of 37 blood cultures taken were negative, and none of the plasma samples had detectable endotoxin. After discontinuance of cardiopulmonary bypass but before delivery of blood from the Cell Saver System, bacteria and endotoxin were detected in 11 of 36 (30.6%) and five of 35 (14.3%) of the patients' blood samples, respectively. The blood aspirated from the open chest and collected by the Cell Saver System was culture positive in 30 of 31 (96.8%) samples, and seven of 29 (24.1%) contained endotoxin. One of 28 blood samples collected 1 hour postoperatively was culture positive, and five of 25 samples contained endotoxin. Of 61 total microorganisms isolated, 50 (82%) were coagulase-negative staphylococci, four (6.6%) aerobic diphtheroids, five (8.2%) anaerobic "diphtheroids" (Propionibacterium acnes), and two (3.2%) gram-negative bacilli. Plasma endotoxin concentrations ranged from 10 to 765 pg/ml. No signs of endotoxemia or unusual bleeding were observed intraoperatively or postoperatively in any of the 38 patients. Although blood collected in the Cell Saver System and used for reinfusion during heart operations often was contaminated with gram-positive bacterial commensals of the skin and low concentrations of endotoxin, no adverse effects were noted in the patients.

Intraoperative and postoperative red blood cell salvage

The risks associated with homologous blood transfusions include hepatitis, transfusion reactions, and AIDS. Intraoperative and postoperative red blood cell salvage and reinfusion are techniques available to decrease the need for homologous transfusions. In this article the techniques of red blood cell salvage are described and the benefits and potential risks of these methods are discussed.

Erythrocyte apheresis as a method for autologous blood transfusion--a case study in a patient with Vel-antibodies

A 60-year old man was suffering from angina and a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) had to be done. In the preoperative screening procedure antibodies anti-Vel were identified. The patients blood group is 0, rr. The prevalence of the blood group 0, rr, Vel(-) is 1:60,000. Compatible blood groups were not found in the patients family. The only alternative method to give this patient his necessary units of blood was an autologous transfusion procedure, however, because of the patients clinical condition it was necessary to use an erythrocyte apheresis procedure without changing his blood volume. We performed erythrocyte apheresis, using the Fenwal CS-3000. 920 ml blood was collected, Ht 0.67 l/l, enough for three units packed cells compared with random donor blood. The erythrocyte apheresis procedure was performed without any problem. The PTCA was done without complications and transfusions. The units of blood are stored in liquid nitrogen in the central laboratory of blood transfusion, Amsterdam.

[The effect of blood conservation techniques on the plasma concentration and elimination of midazolam in patients undergoing hip joint surgery]

OBJECTIVE

The question was to evaluate whether haemodilution or intraoperative autotransfusion have an influence on plasma levels and clearance of midazolam.

DESIGN

The study was designed as a prospective evaluation of patients with total hip joint replacement. The patients received neuroleptanalgesia supplemented with enflurane. After induction of anaesthesia with midazolam (0.1 mg/kg body weight) haemodilution procedure was started. During surgery a cell saver was used for blood salvage. In the recovery room drainage blood was also being processed by a cell saver.

PATIENTS

The study includes 10 patients belonging to ASA-group II with an average weight of 79.4 kg (53-100 kg), at an average age of 57.9 years (44-68 years).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Midazolam was measured in patient blood and in autologous blood units by gas chromatography. 151 micrograms of midazolam, i.e. 1.8% of the initial dose was retransfused in hemodilution blood. By processing of blood in the cell saver, 99.5% of the amount of midazolam found in the sample unit was eliminated. The maximum quantity was 5.5 micrograms in the washed autologous red cell concentrate.

CONCLUSION

Considering the analytic limit of 2 micrograms/l of midazolam in plasma, retransfusion of autologous blood cannot influence the plasma concentration of midazolam. Therefore, there is no risk of re-sedation in retransfusing autologous blood postoperatively.

The use of the Cell Saver in transoral maxillofacial surgery: a preliminary report

In a prospective study with 18 patients, the Cell Saver was used in transoral operations. Blood cultures were taken immediately before retransfusion, 15 min, 2 and 24 h after retransfusion. As a clinical consequence we noticed a higher increase in temperature because of the transient bacteraemia. Other negative clinical consequences were not observed. If adequate antibiotic prophylaxis is used with careful patient selection, we think that the Cell Saver can even be used in transoral operations, although the number of observations is too small to allow definitive conclusions.

[Measures for reducing the use of homologous blood. Effects on blood coagulation during total endoprosthesis]

The influence of two different methods of autologous transfusion, preoperative donor plasmapheresis (Abbott Autotrans) and postoperative autotransfusion (intraoperative blood salvage, Dideco Autotrans), on the intravascular hemostatic system was investigated. Forty-two patients undergoing total hip surgery and preoperative donor plasmapheresis were prospectively randomized into three groups. For substitution of blood loss, patients in group 1 (control group, n = 12) received in addition to cristalloids and colloids only homologous blood, group 2 (n = 14) autologous blood, and group 3 (n = 16) additionally intra- and postoperative autologous fresh frozen plasma (FFP). The investigation included blood parameters (hemoglobin, hematocrit, thrombocytes), clotting status (prothrombin time, plasma thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen, plasminogen, and antithrombin III), and immunological methods such as fibrinopeptide A (FPA), thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT), and protein C. No significant difference was found with respect to total amount of infusion, intraoperative blood loss, autologous transfusion, and blood parameters. Excellent quality of the autologous FFP was demonstrated by investigation of the specimens before administration. The autologous packed red cells showed high levels of TAT and FPA as an indicator of thrombin generation. Their administration caused a significant increase in TAT and FPA levels in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Autologous fibrin glue--preparation and clinical use in thoracic surgery

Autologous fibrin glue was used in 20 patients undergoing lung resection to reduce pulmonary air leaks and improve hemostasis. The fibrinogen in the glue was prepared by ethanol precipitation of plasma separated from 88 ml of the patient's blood. The mean volume of fibrinogen concentrate +/- SD was 4.9 +/- 0.5 ml with a fibrinogen concentration of 28 +/- 5 mg/ml. The yield obtained by the separation was 81% +/- 9%. One part of fibrinogen concentrate was converted to solid fibrin by means of 0.3 parts of thrombin solution. The outcome was 6.4 ml of two-component fibrin glue. The preparation was performed in a closed system to ensure sterility, and was completed within 90 min. Pulmonary air leak decreased following sealing of the resection lines with autologous fibrin glue and the hemostasis was effective. No adverse effects were observed, and all cultures from the glue were negative. Autologous fibrin glue has the obvious advantages of safety from transmission of viral diseases and from immunological reactions. In summary, we report a new technique for preparing autologous fibrin glue with a high concentration of fibrinogen making it a safe and effective sealant of pulmonary air leak and hemostatic agent in thoracic surgery.