Bloodless Cardiac Surgery Offers Benefits

Bloodless heart valve replacements and coronary artery bypass procedures are being performed by doctors at the New Jersey Cardiovascular Institute (NJCI) of the University Hospital (Newark, USA), who report a number of benefits from the practice.

As used by these doctors, the term "bloodless” means minimizing blood loss and the need for a blood transfusion. Advantages include a quicker recovery and a reduction of infections and complications, particularly those associated with a transfusion. The doctors encourage red blood cell production and reduce the risk of anemia and transfusion during cardiac surgery.

Transfusion-free surgery requires careful planning and preparation. Certain types of medication and iron supplements can be given for a few weeks prior to surgery to stimulate the production of more red blood cells. During surgery, doctors use a meticulous technique to conserve blood and employ state-of-the-art surgical instruments to stop or prevent excessive bleeding. Often, blood lost during the procedure can be collected, filtered, and reinfused in a continuous process. The doctors have found that patients are able to tolerate and safely recover from much lower blood counts than previously thought.

"For some patients, the total avoidance of blood transfusions is a matter of religious belief or personal conviction, while others wish to avoid the use of donor blood to minimize the risk of blood-borne infections and prevent immune system suppression,” said Ahmad Rajaii Khorasani, M.D., director of minimally invasive cardiac surgery at the hospital, who has pioneered the bloodless technique.



Related Links:
New Jersey Cardiovascular Institute