Abstract
The potential benefit of transfusion free cardio-pulmonary (C-P) bypass was evaluated in the adult cardiac surgery cases. Twenty four patients were divided into two groups, Group I (n=12) without any homologous blood transfusion and Group II (n =12) with blood transfusion. In Group I, autologous blood (about 16% of total circulating volume) was withdrawn from the right atrium before starting C-P bypass and returned to the patient at the completion of C-P bypass with ultra-filtrated blood remaining in the C-P bypass circuit using hemoconcentrator (H-C). The incidence of serum hepatitis in Group I was significantly lower than that in Group II (0%vs. 41.7%). With regard to the renal function, blood coagulation studies and plasma colloid osmotic pressure, there were no significant difference between the two groups. Hematocrit in Group I was returned to the same level as that in Group II by the postoperative 7 day. The recovery rate of platelet counts was more rapid and postoperative BUN level remained significantly lower in Group I than those in Group II. The use of H-C in the patient with severe hemolysis may have potential deleterious effect.
