Guidelines on the intraoperative transfusion of red blood cells: a protocol for systematic review

Accuracy of point-of-care testing devices for haemoglobin in the operating room: meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Point-of-care tests (POCT) for haemoglobin are increasingly used to guide intraoperative transfusion. However, their accuracy compared to central laboratory tests is unknown. The objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of method comparison studies assessing the accuracy of POCT versus central laboratory haemoglobin tests in patients undergoing surgery.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched from inception to April 2020 (updated August 2023). Any methodological approach comparing haemoglobin measurements between POCT and central laboratory in patients undergoing surgery under anaesthesia in the operating room were included. Data abstraction was guided by PRISMA and risk of bias was assessed by QUADAS-2. Data were extracted independently and in duplicate by two reviewers. Outcomes included mean differences between POCT and central laboratory haemoglobin with associated standard deviations and 95% limits of agreement (LOA).

RESULTS

Of 3057 citations, 34 studies were included (n = 2427, 6857 paired measurements). Several devices were compared (pulse co-oximetry, n = 25; HemoCue, n = 10; iSTAT, n = 6; blood gas analysers, n = 10; haematology analyser, n = 2). Median sample size was 41 patients, and 11 studies were funded by device manufacturers. Fifteen of 34 studies had low risk of bias. Pooled mean differences (95% LOA) were: pulse co-oximeters 2.3 g/l (-25.2-29.8), HemoCue -0.3 g/l (-11.1-10.5), iSTAT -0.3 g/l (-8.4-7.8) and blood gas analysers -2.6 g/l (-17.8-12.7).

CONCLUSION

All POCT examining intraoperative haemoglobin measurement yielded pooled mean difference LOAs larger than the allowable limit difference of ±4 g/dl. Intraoperative haemoglobin measured by POCT should not be considered interchangeable with central laboratory values and caution is necessary when using these tests to guide intraoperative transfusion.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Usage of Blood for Transfusions: A 2-Year Experience from a Tertiary Center in Korea

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak affected the utilization and management of blood products in hospitals. Blood shortages occurred owing to social distancing policies and reduction in blood donors. However, only a few studies examined whether these changes affected blood usage and transfusion patterns. We retrospectively reviewed blood component usage according to hospital departments and phases of surgery in transfused patients admitted between 1 March 2019 and 28 February 2021, in a single center in Anyang, Korea. We also analyzed the length of hospital stay and mortality to determine prognosis. In 2020, 32,050 blood components were transfused to 2877 patients, corresponding to 15.8% and 11.8% less than the rates in 2019, respectively. Postoperative usage of blood products significantly decreased in 2020 (3.87 ± 6.50) compared to 2019 (7.12 ± 21.71) (p = 0.047). The length of hospital stay of the patients who underwent postoperative transfusion in 2019 (n = 197) was 13.97 ± 11.95 days, which was not significantly different from that in 2020 (n = 167), i.e., 16.44 ± 17.90 days (p = 0.118). Further, 9 of 197 postoperative transfusion patients died in 2019, while 8 of 167 patients died in 2020 (p = 0.920). The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in limited blood supply and reduced postoperative transfusions; however, patient prognosis was not affected.

Intraoperative Red Blood Cell Transfusion Decision-making: A Systematic Review of Guidelines

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this work was to carry out a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) pertaining to intraoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, in terms of indications, decision-making, and supporting evidence base.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

RBC transfusions are common during surgery and there is evidence of wide variability in practice.

METHODS

Major electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL), guideline clearinghouses and Google Scholar were systematically searched from inception to January 2019 for CPGs pertaining to indications for intraoperative RBC transfusion. Eligible guidelines were retrieved and their quality assessed using AGREE II. Relevant recommendations were abstracted and synthesized to allow for a comparison between guidelines.

RESULTS

Ten guidelines published between 1992 and 2018 provided indications for intraoperative transfusions. No guideline addressed intraoperative transfusion decision-making as its primary focus. Six guidelines provided criteria for transfusion based on hemoglobin (range 6.0-10.0 g/dL) or hematocrit (<30%) triggers. In the absence of objective transfusion rules, CPGs recommended considering other parameters such as blood loss (n = 7), signs of end organ ischemia (n = 5), and hemodynamics (n = 4). Evidence supporting intraoperative recommendations was extrapolated primarily from the nonoperative setting. There was wide variability in the quality of included guidelines based on AGREE II scores.

CONCLUSION

This review has identified several clinical practice guidelines providing recommendations for intraoperative transfusion. The existing guidelines were noted to be highly variable in their recommendations and to lack a sufficient evidence base from the intraoperative setting. This represents a major knowledge gap in the literature.

Tranexamic acid in patients with complex stones undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and safety of single-dose tranexamic acid on the blood transfusion rate and outcomes of patients with complex kidney stones undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 192 patients with complex kidney stone (Guy's Stone Scores III-IV) were prospectively enrolled and randomised (1:1 ratio) to receive either one dose of tranexamic acid (1 g) or a placebo at the time of anaesthetic induction for PCNL. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence rate of perioperative blood transfusion. The secondary outcome measures included blood loss, operative time, stone-free rate (SFR), and complications. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02966236.

RESULTS

The overall risk of receiving a blood transfusion was reduced in the tranexamic acid group (2.2% vs 10.4%; relative risk, 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03-0.76, P = 0.033; number-needed-to-treat: 12). Patients randomised to the tranexamic acid group had a higher immediate and 3-month SFR compared with those in the placebo group (29% vs 14.7%, odds ratio [OR] 2.37, 95% CI 1.15-4.87, P = 0.019, and 46.2% vs 28.1%, OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.20-4.02, P = 0.011, respectively). Faster haemoglobin recovery occurred in patients in the tranexamic acid group (mean, 21.3 days; P = 0.001). No statistical differences were found in operative time and complications between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Tranexamic acid administration is safe and reduces the need for blood transfusion by five-times in patients with complex kidney stones undergoing PCNL. Moreover, tranexamic acid may contribute to better stone clearance rate and faster haemoglobin recovery without increasing complications. A single dose of tranexamic acid at the time of anaesthetic induction could be considered standard clinical practice for patients with complex kidney stones undergoing PCNL.

Comparison of fibrin sealants in peripheral vascular surgery: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background

Evidence comparing fibrin sealants (FSs) in surgery are limited. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of FSs, and manual compression in peripheral vascular surgery.

Methods

A systematic review of randomized trials was conducted in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases within the last 15 years. Data were available to conduct a network meta-analysis (NMA) in peripheral vascular surgery. Fibrin sealant treatment arms were further broken-down and assessed by clotting time (i.e., 2-min [2C] or 1-min [1C]). The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of patients achieving hemostasis by 4 min (T4). Treatment-related serious and non-serious adverse events (AEs) were qualitatively assessed.

Results

Five studies (n = 693), were included in the NMA. Results predicted VISTASEAL 2C, followed by EVICEL 1C, had the highest probability of achieving T4. Compared with manual compression, significant improvements in T4 were found with VISTASEAL 2C (relative risk [RR] = 2.67, 95% CrI: 2.13–3.34), EVICEL 1C (RR = 2.58, 95% CrI: 2.04–3.23), VISTASEAL 1C (RR = 2.00, 95% CrI: 1.45–2.65), and TISSEEL 2C (RR = 1.99, 95% CrI: 1.48–2.60). TISSEEL 1C was not significantly different than manual compression (RR = 1.40, 95% CrI: 0.70–2.33). Among FSs, VISTASEAL 2C was associated with a significant improvements in T4 compared with VISTASEAL 1C (RR = 1.33, 95% CrI: 1.02–1.82), TISSEEL 2C (RR = 1.34, 95% CrI: 1.05–1.77), and TISSEEL 1C (RR = 1.90, 95% CrI: 1.18–3.74). Treatment-related serious and non-serious AE rates were typically lower than 2%.

Conclusions

In peripheral vascular surgeries, VISTASEAL 2C and EVICEL 1C were shown to have the highest probabilities for achieving rapid hemostasis among the treatments compared. Future studies should expand networks across surgery types as data become available.

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Fibrin sealants can control perioperative bleeding, yet comparative evidence is limited.

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This network meta-analysis compared fibrin sealants and compression in peripheral vascular surgery.

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VISTASEAL and EVICEL had the highest probability of achieving hemostasis by 4 min.

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These results show differences exist between fibrin sealants in peripheral vascular surgery.

Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) with or without hyperthermic IntraPEritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC): Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) Society Recommendations - Part I: Preoperative and intraoperative management

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown to considerably reduce complications, length of stay and costs after most of surgical procedures by standardised application of best evidence-based perioperative care. The aim was to elaborate dedicated recommendations for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) ± hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in a two-part series of guidelines based on expert consensus. The present part I of the guidelines highlights preoperative and intraoperative management.

METHODS

The core group assembled a multidisciplinary panel of 24 experts involved in peritoneal surface malignancy surgery representing the fields of general surgery (n = 12), gynaecological surgery (n = 6), and anaesthesia (n = 6). Experts systematically reviewed and summarized the available evidence on 72 identified perioperative care items, following the GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development, evaluation) system. Final consensus (defined as ≥50%, or ≥70% of weak/strong recommendations combined) was reached by a standardised 2-round Delphi process, regarding the strength of recommendations.

RESULTS

Response rates were 100% for both Delphi rounds. Quality of evidence was evaluated high, moderate low and very low, for 15 (21%), 26 (36%), 29 (40%) and 2 items, respectively. Consensus was reached for 71/72(98.6%) items. Strong recommendations were defined for 37 items, No consensus could be reached regarding the preemptive use of fresh frozen plasma.

CONCLUSION

The present ERAS recommendations for CRS±HIPEC are based on a standardised expert consensus process providing clinicians with valuable guidance. There is an urgent need to produce high quality studies for CRS±HIPEC and to prospectively evaluate recommendations in clinical practice.