Blood component therapy in cardiovascular surgery accounts for a significant fraction of national blood use. Studies show ongoing variation in blood use for cardiac surgery between institutions. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and The Society for Cardiovascular Anesthesia generated a practice guideline in 2007 that endorses the use of blood conservation measures. This session will address two techniques aimed at conserving transfusion requirements: deep hypothermic arrest and harvest of plasma and platelet for subsequent use in the operating theater.
Hypothermic arrest affords protection of coagulation factors and platelets from activation since activation is based on thermodynamic principles. Harvest of blood prior to exposure to the bypass circuit also protects against activation. These interventions while directed by anesthesiologists should be familiar to staff involved with patient blood management programs.




This session offers Self-Assessment Module (SAM) credit. Please complete the post test to receive SAM credit.