Effects of blood transfusion on oxygen uptake: old concepts adapted to new therapeutic strategies?

The optimal hematocrit

Nearly 15 million units of packed red blood cells and whole blood are transfused annually in the United States alone. Until recently, the major risks from blood transfusion were thought to be transmission of viral infections, and overall, blood transfusion was believed by most providers to be safe. A safe hemoglobin threshold above which red cell transfusion is clearly unnecessary has not been established. This article addresses the numerous problems that surround the use and consequences of blood transfusion, such as hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, oxygenation, storage time, immunomodulation, infection, and anemia. The relevant literature is comprehensively reviewed.

Factors influencing the individual effects of blood transfusions on oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors influencing the individual effects of blood transfusions regarding oxygen delivery and consumption.

DESIGN

Chart review.

SETTING

A university hospital cardiosurgical intensive care unit.

PATIENTS

Sixty-seven patients with 170 transfusion events evaluated.

INTERVENTIONS

Blood transfusion.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Measurements were performed before and after a blood transfusion, separated by 302 +/- 13 mins (mean +/- SEM). The individual increase in cardiac index resulting from a blood transfusion was inversely related to cardiac index before transfusion (p < .001), oxygen delivery index before transfusion (p < .001), and oxygen consumption index before transfusion (p < .001). The individual increase in oxygen delivery index was inversely related to oxygen consumption index before transfusion (p < .001). The individual increase in oxygen consumption index was inversely related to oxygen consumption index before transfusion (p < .001). Individual changes in cardiac index, oxygen delivery index, and oxygen consumption index were not significantly related to preoperative ejection fraction (25%-87%), age (32-81 yrs), and pretransfusion hemoglobin concentration (5.0-11.8 g/dL).

CONCLUSION

In adult patients after cardiovascular surgery, oxygen delivery- and oxygen consumption-related variables predict the individual response to blood transfusions better than do patient characteristics such as preoperative ejection fraction, age, and pretransfusion hemoglobin concentration. Including oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption, variables into the transfusion decision, thus, may enable a more individual use of allogeneic blood in specific situations.