Impact of Hemoglobin Drop, Bleeding Events, and Red Blood Cell Transfusions on Long-term Mortality in Patients Undergoing Transaortic Valve Implantation.

Background: Despite the minimally invasive nature of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), the procedure is associated with several complications. We aimed to analyze the individual impact of bleeding events, hemoglobin (Hb) drop, and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions on prognosis and to evaluate the temporal trends in bleeding and RBC transfusions since the initiation of the TAVI program in our centre and onward.

Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 597) undergoing transfemoral TAVI were prospectively enrolled.

Prevalence of blood type A and risk of vascular complications following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of blood type A among patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and whether it is related to vascular complications.

Backgrounds: Vascular complications following TAVI are associated with adverse outcomes. Various blood types, particularly type A, have been shown to be more prevalent in cardiovascular diseases and to be related to prognosis.

Increased Incidence of Red Blood Cell Alloantibodies in Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Background: Approximately 80% of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) receive multiple red blood cells (RBC), often multiple transfusions, and are therefore prone to develop alloantibodies against RBC. Because of increasing evidence for the role of immune dysregulation in the pathobiology of MDS, we hypothesized that in patients with MDS there is an increase in alloantibody formation beyond that expected from multiple transfusions.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence rates of alloantibodies in patients with MDS who are transfusion dependent and compare them to rates of non-MDS patients matched for number of RBC units they received.

Relaparotomies after cesarean sections: risk factors, indications, and management.

Objective: To establish the frequency of post-cesarean relaparotomy, identify its risk factors, indications, and operative management.

Methods: This study was a retrospective matched case control study. Records of all women who underwent a cesarean section (CS) from July 2006 to March 2012 were reviewed.

Usage of blood products in multiple-casualty incidents: the experience of a level I trauma center in Israel.

Objective: To predict how much blood will be needed based on the number of injured patients arriving after a multiple-casualty incident.

Design: A retrospective study evaluating data collected in 18 consecutive terrorist attacks in the city of Tel Aviv between January 1997 and February 2005.

Setting: A large, urban trauma center.