Novel method for direct retransfusion reduces blood transfusions in descending and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.

Background: Allogenic blood product usage is associated with worse outcomes in open repair of descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. This pilot study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel modification of the left heart bypass (LHB) circuit to reduce intraoperative blood transfusions.

Methods: In modified LHB, pump suckers collected shed blood that was directly retransfused through a femoral vein cannula.