ISSN: 2155-6148
Jose Muniz Castro
Tanzania
Research Article
Accurate Measurement of Intraoperative Blood Loss Improves Prediction of
Postoperative Hemoglobin Levels
Author(s): Robert L Thurer, Jose Muniz Castro, Mazyar Javidroozi, Kimberly Burton and Nicole P BernalRobert L Thurer, Jose Muniz Castro, Mazyar Javidroozi, Kimberly Burton and Nicole P Bernal
Background: Restrictive red cell transfusion is preferable to liberal transfusion in most clinical situations. However, intraoperative transfusion decisions are challenging due to uncertainty about the amount and rate of bleeding, the poor correlation of haemoglobin levels with blood loss and the effects of anesthetics on blood volume and physiologic responses. Clinicians frequently use hemoglobin levels to guide transfusion. While these "triggers" assume that the patient is normovolemic, they are often applied in situations confounded by hemodilution or hemoconcentration. We postulated that accurate measurement of surgical blood loss would facilitate prediction of postoperative hemoglobin levels, potentially leading to more accurate intraoperative transfusion decisions. Methods: Using image-processing algorithms, a novel system accurately measures blood loss by photographi.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2155-6148.1000743