Authors

A Jackson¹;  ¹ Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, UK

Discusssion

Transfusion should always be limited where possible in order to reduce the risks of allogeneic transfusion associated complications which are well documented in the literature. Risks of transfusion after aortic surgery particularly when combined with HCA are increased in comparison to standard cardiac surgery. At LHCH, we have developed a novel algorithm based around the use of both platelet rich plasmapheresis and fibrinogen and prothrombin complex concentrates in order to try and reduce allogeneic transfusion rates. Average transfusion of all blood products has fallen from a mean of 7.7±8.7 units to mean of 2.6±2.8 units with use of the new algorithm after complex aortic surgery with HCA (p<0.001). Introduction of the new algorithm has proved beneficial and significantly reduced transfusion of all blood products.