A blood transfusion during heart surgery and many other procedures seems to have become routine. But some are now warning that such unfettered use is not only overusing supply, but could actually cause more complications in those surgeries that do not need them.
Having a blood transfusion in the absence of established need, could cause more complications than not using one. When the human body is given a transfusion there has to be an overwhelming benefit as an underlying reason, so that whatever drawbacks there are are outweight by such benefit.
Usually, the Blood Bank association recommends that blood be used only if the hemoglobin threshold is around 7-8 g/Decaliter.
Studies on the practice have also shown that there is not a specific protocol followed by all uniformly, and that the medical guidance varies too much because of it.
Blood transfusion in fact, can potentially double the risk of infection and increase mortality risk by 400%. In addition, there are risks post-operation such as cardiopulmonary complications and other factors that should be evaluated just as much as the patient's need for the transfusion.
Efforts have now begun to at least limit such widespread use of transfusions. One of the methods that have resulted in a less generalized approach to the practice was the adoption of the Best Practice Support and Electronic Order Systems at Stanford University medical Center, which resulted in a much more efficient use of the blood supply.
A survey conducted in the past, showed that only 14% of anesthesiologists had enough training in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists transfusion guidelines.
Source: MNT 5.28.13
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