Limited utility of algorithms predicting blood transfusions.

Background: Prediction of transfusion is presumed to reduce wastage rates in pre-operative autologus blood donation (PABD) and unnecessary providing and cross-matching in allogeneic transfusion. The clinical utility of published algorithms in predicting transfusions was analysed.

Materials And Methods: In a cohort of 195 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, after PABD, expected transfusion needs were predicted with two published algorithms (A and B).