Use of blood products during the first months of COVID-19 pandemic period: A single center report.

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak exerted a serious effect on healthcare. Between 1st of January and May 31, 2020 due to the special regulations in Hungary, the number of reported COVID-19 infections were relatively low (3876 cases). The inpatient and outpatient care and the blood supply were significantly affected by the implemented regulations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of blood products amid the first five months of the pandemic situation. This investigation has observed a significant reduction of hospitalizations (37.35%). Analyzing individually the included units, pre-transfusion hemoglobin concentrations of transfused patients presented slight modifications, which were not statistically significant. The special regulations resulted major changes in the frequency of diagnoses at admissions in case of the Department of Surgery, while in case of the other specialities (Division of Hematology and Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy), there were no major changes compared to pre-pandemic period. Considering each department separately, transfused red blood cell concentrates (RBC) per patient, and the proportion of transfused patients did not change significantly. However, the combination of these modifications resulted in the significant decrease in RBC transfusions (p < 0.0001) compared to the pre-pandemic baseline. With regard to platelet and fresh frozen plasma (FFP), their usage was significantly reduced (44.40% platelet concentrates and 34.27% FFP). Our results indicate that the pandemic had an important effect on the blood product usage at the included departments by introducing different patient care policies and the temporary deferral of the elective surgical interventions. Despite the challenging circumstances of blood collection and blood product supply, the hospitalized patients received adequate care.

Cumplimiento de la política transfusional restrictiva en el Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular 2019-2021 / Compliance with the restrictive transfusional policy at the Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery 2019-2021

Introducción: A principios del siglo XXI el déficit de sangre y los riesgos de la transfusión, determinaron la adopción de una política transfusional restrictiva, con cifras de hemoglobina entre 70 y 100 g/L para pacientes cardiovasculares en el mundo. En el Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular se adoptó esta política, por lo cual es necesario controlar su cumplimiento, para hacer un uso racional y seguro de este recurso. Objetivo: Evaluar el cumplimiento de la política transfusional restrictiva del Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular entre 2019 y 2021. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo transversal, mediante la revisión del registro de pacientes transfundidos y las órdenes de transfusión, lo que permitió llegar a resultados. Resultados: Se transfundieron 5408 hemocomponentes, 64,1 por ciento concentrados de eritrocitos. Los servicios con mayor consumo fueron: la unidad de cuidados intensivos posquirúrgicos 53,2 por ciento, el salón de operaciones 22,8 por ciento y la unidad de cuidados intensivos de emergencia 10,8 por ciento. La media de las cifras de hematocrito/hemoglobina de los pacientes transfundidos fue 0,24/79,2 g/L, inferior 0,22/72,6 g/L para los operados por valvulopatías cardíacas severas. El 95,9 por ciento de las órdenes de transfusión reunieron los requisitos normados. El principal problema fue la omisión de los antecedentes transfusionales. Conclusiones: Se cumplió la política transfusional restrictiva. La media de las cifras de hematocrito/hemoglobina fue menor a las recomendadas para pacientes cardiovasculares en las guías cubanas. La calidad de las órdenes de transfusión fue adecuada(AU)

Introduction: At the beginning of the 21st century, the blood deficit and transfusion risks determined the adoption of a restrictive transfusion policy, with hemoglobin levels between 70 and 100 g/L for cardiovascular patients in the world. In the Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, this policy was adopted for which it is necessary to control compliance, to make a rational and safe use of this resource. Objective: Evaluate compliance with the restrictive transfusion policy of the Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery between 2019 and 2021. Method: An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by reviewing the records of transfused patients and transfusion orders, which allowed reaching results. Results: 5 408 hem components were transfused, 64,1 percent were packed erythrocytes. The services with the highest consumption were the post-surgical intensive care unit 53,2 percent, the operating room 22,8 percent and the emergency intensive care unit 10,8 percent. The mean of the hematocrit/hemoglobin values of the transfused patients was 0,24/79,2 g/L, lower 0,22/72,6 g/L for those operated on for severe heart valve disease. 95,9 percent of the transfusion orders met the regulatory requirements. The main problem was the omission of transfusion history. Conclusion: The restrictive transfusion policy was complied with. The mean hematocrit/hemoglobin values were lower than those recommended for cardiovascular patients in The Cuban guidelines. The quality of the transfusion orders was adequate(AU)

Transfusion policy in pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients: Less could be more.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a restrictive transfusion policy of red blood cells (RBC) and platelets in pediatric patients submitted to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study of pediatric patients supported with ECMO, from January 2010 to December 2019. Hemoglobin, platelet, lactate and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) values of each patient while on ECMO, were collected. Transfusion efficiency and tissue oxygenation were statistically evaluated comparing pre-transfusion hemoglobin, lactate and SvO2 with post-transfusion values. Ranges of hemoglobin and platelets were established, and the number of transfusions registered. The bleeding complications and outcome were documented. RESULTS: Of a total of 1016 hemoglobin values, the mean value before transfusion was 8.6 g/dl. Hemoglobin and SvO2 increased significantly post-transfusion. Red blood cell transfusion varied with hemoglobin values: when hemoglobin value was less than 7 g/dl, 89% (41/46) were transfused but just 23% (181/794) when greater or equal to 7 g/dl. In the presence of active bleeding, the frequency of RBC transfusion increased from 32% to 62%, with hemoglobin between 7 g/dl and 8 g/dl.The mean value for platelet transfusion was 32 x 109/L. Thirty-eight (43%) platelet values between 20 x 109/L and 30x109/L, and 31 (40%) between 30 x 109/L and 40 x 109/L led to platelet transfusion; between 40 x 109/L and 50 x 109/L, only 7 (9%) prompted platelet transfusion.Comparing the 2010-2015 to 2016-2019 periods there was a decrease in RBC and platelet transfusion threshold with similar survival (p = .528). Survival to discharge was 68%. CONCLUSIONS: Using a restrictive RBC and platelet transfusion policy was safe and allowed a good outcome in this case series. The presence of active bleeding was an important decision factor when hemoglobin was above 7 g/dl and platelets were above 30 x 109/L.