Expediting red blood cell transfusions by syringing causes significant hemolysis.

Background: Techniques commonly used to expedite blood transfusions include pneumatically pressurizing red blood cell (RBC) bags or manual syringing its contents. We compared these techniques on RBC hemolysis using a simulated transfusion model.

Study Design And Methods: Fifteen warmed RBC units that were 12.

Reinfusate Heparin Concentrations Produced by Two Autotransfusion Systems.

Objectives: Cell saver reinfusate ideally should contain low, clinically insignificant heparin concentrations. The American Association of Blood Banks has defined the clinically insignificant threshold as 0.5 IU/mL.

Heparinase thromboelastography compared with activated coagulation time for protamine titration after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective: The present study is a comparison of two point-of-care (POC) tests as endpoints of protamine titration after CPB. The authors hypothesized that using the heparinase-kaolin thromboelastography (TEG-HK) R-time difference would more readily identify residual heparin necessitating additional protamine than when using activated coagulation time (ACT). The primary endpoint was the between-group difference in protamine dose.

Arterial oxygenation and one-lung anesthesia.

Purpose Of Review: In the presence of the obligatory shunt during one-lung ventilation, arterial oxygenation is determined by the magnitude of the shunt in addition to the oxygen content of the mixed venous blood coursing through that shunt. The present discussion aims to heighten awareness of factors determining arterial oxygenation during one-lung anesthesia, other than the magnitude of the shunt and dependent lung low-ventilation perfusion units.

Recent Findings: A convenient way to increase mixed venous and thereby arterial oxygenation is to raise cardiac output.