Use of preoperative erythropoietin-stimulating agents is associated with decreased thrombotic adverse events compared to red blood cell transfusion in surgical patients with anaemia.

Background And Objectives: Preoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions increase post-operative venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) increase VTE risk in cancer patients; we aimed to assess ESA versus RBC-associated VTE risks in a broad population of surgical patients.

Materials And Methods: We queried TriNetX Diamond Network from 2006 to 2023, comparing patients with anaemia within 3 months preoperatively who received preoperative ESAs with or without intravenous (IV) iron to patients who received preoperative RBCs.

Perioperative Plasma in Addition to Red Blood Cell Transfusions Is Associated With Increased Venous Thromboembolism Risk Postoperatively.

Background: Perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions increase venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. Although a previous study found that plasma resuscitation after trauma was associated with increased VTE, the risk associated with additional perioperative plasma is unknown.

Methods: A US claims and EHR database (TriNetX Diamond Network) was queried.

Dose-dependent effects of red blood cell transfusion and case mix index on venous thromboembolic events in spine surgery.

Background And Objectives: Venous thromboembolic (VTE) events represent a major source of morbidity and mortality in spine surgery. Our goal was to assess whether a dose-response relationship exists between red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and postoperative VTE events among spine surgery patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 786 spine surgery patients at a single institution who received at least 1 RBC unit perioperatively were included (2016-2019).

Anesthetic Management for Open Thoracoabdominal and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Open thoracoabdominal and abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs are some of the most challenging cases for anesthesiologists because of the potential for rapid blood loss combined with clamping and reperfusion, potential use of left heart bypass, the potential need for lung isolation, and potential placement and management of a spinal drain. In addition, patients often present with other significant comorbidities and a detailed understanding of the disease process, the complex physiology throughout the case, and the intricacies of organ protection are critical.

Factors Associated With Pediatric Emergency Airway Management by the Difficult Airway Response Team.

Background The goal of this study was to determine if difficult airway risk factors were similar in children cared for by the difficult airway response team (DART) and those cared for by the rapid response team (RRT). Methods In this retrospective database analysis of prospectively collected data, we analyzed patient demographics, comorbidities, history of difficult intubation, and intubation event details, including time and place of the emergency and devices used to successfully secure the airway. Results Within the 110-patient cohort, median age (IQR) was higher among DART patients than among RRT patients [8.

Balancing the Blood Component Transfusion Ratio for High- and Ultra High-Dose Cell Salvage Cases.

Objective: To assess the ratio of non-red blood cell to red blood cell components required to avoid coagulopathy when transfusing large amounts of salvaged blood using laboratory test-guided therapy.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Single-center, academic hospital.

How do I audit intraoperative blood component utilization in cardiac surgery?

Background: Patient blood management programs are tasked with auditing transfusions for appropriateness; however, cardiac surgical programs have high variability in blood utilization. After benchmarking intraoperative blood utilization as higher than expected, we devised effective methods for audits with feedback to the cardiac anesthesiologists that are described in this report.

Study Design And Methods: Red blood cell (RBC), plasma, platelet (PLT), and cryoprecipitate transfusion data were collected from the electronic record system for 2242 patients having cardiac surgery from July 2016 until July 2018.

Using the SuperNO2VA Device on a Patient With a Known Difficult Airway: A Case Report Facilitating Fiberoptic Intubation and Postoperative Nasal Positive Pressure.

Upper airway obstruction during anesthesia is the leading cause of complications during sedation, intubation, and emergence. Devices to support oxygenation and ventilation are costly, require capital equipment, and cannot be used during transport. We present a 46-year-old man with sleep apnea and anticipated difficult airway undergoing a cardiac ablation under general endotracheal intubation.

Rewarming Rate During Cardiopulmonary Bypass Is Associated With Release of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein.

Background: Rewarming from hypothermia during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may compromise cerebral oxygen balance, potentially resulting in cerebral ischemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether CPB rewarming rate is associated with cerebral ischemia assessed by the release of the brain injury biomarker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 152 patients after anesthesia induction and after CPB for the measurement of plasma GFAP levels.