Results from the Perfusion.com Cardiac Surgery Hematocrit Trend Survey: Observations and Evidence-Based Recommendations
Authors and Sponsoring Institutions: By Invitation:
Background:
In the face of a national shortage and increasing demand for blood products, it is imperative that those who care for patients undergoing cardiothoracic and vascular surgical procedures optimize the patient’s red blood cell mass and coagulation prior to surgery. (1) Clinicians and supporting staff need to employ a multi-modality approach to conserve plasma proteins, clotting factors and red blood cells from being wasted perioperatively. (2,3) 
Today’s perfusionist is an integral member of a multidiscipline perioperative team (anesthesia, nursing, surgery, blood bank, pathology laboratory) approach with improved team communications for conservation of autologous blood and avoidance of allogeneic Results from Perfusion.com Cardiac Surgery Hematocrit Trend Survey Page 2 of 20 transfusions. (4,5,6) JCAHO, AABB, perfusion professional organizations and others alike recognize the need for increased diligence in perioperative blood management. (7) Perfusion.com solicited various perfusionists to respond to an on-line survey regarding collecting hematocrit (Hct) measurements at certain time points during cardiac surgery.
The goal of the survey was to describe the average change in hematocrit at six time points during adult cardiac surgical procedures to characterize hematocrit levels throughout the surgery. The second goal of the study was to provide perfusionists the ability to apply the results of the survey to benchmark their local clinical experiences.
