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ObjectivesWe analyzed resuscitation practices in Cameroonian patients with trauma as a first step toward developing a context-appropriate resuscitation protocol. We hypothesized that more patients would receive crystalloid-based (CB) resuscitation with a faster time to administration than blood product (BL) resuscitation.MethodsWe included patients enrolled between 2017 and 2019 in the Cameroon Trauma Registry (CTR). Patients presenting with hemorrhagic shock (systolic blood pressure (SBP)

BACKGROUND: Viscoelastic assays have widely been used for evaluating coagulopathies but lack the addition of shear stress important to in vivo clot formation. Stasys technology subjects whole blood to shear forces over factor-coated surfaces. Microclot formation is analyzed to determine clot area (CA) and platelet contractile forces (PCFs). We hypothesize the CA and PCF from this novel assay will provide information that correlates with trauma-induced coagulopathy and transfusion requirements. METHODS: Blood samples were collected on adult trauma patients from a single-institution prospective cohort study of high-level activations. Patient and injury characteristics, transfusion data, and outcomes were collected. Thromboelastography, coagulation studies, and Stasys assays were run on paired samples collected at admission. Stasys CA and PCFs were quantified as area under the curve calculations and maximum values. Normal ranges for Stasys assays were determined using healthy donors. Data were compared using Kruskal-Wallis tests and simple linear regression. RESULTS: From March 2021 to January 2023, 108 samples were obtained. Median age was 37.5 (IQR 27.5-52) years; patients were 77% male. 71% suffered blunt trauma, 26% had an Injury Severity Score of ≥25. An elevated international normalized ratio significantly correlated with decreased cumulative PCF (p=0.05), maximum PCF (p=0.05) and CA (p=0.02). Lower cumulative PCF significantly correlated with transfusion of any products at 6 and 24 hours (p=0.04 and p=0.05) as well as packed red blood cells (pRBCs) at 6 and 24 hours (p=0.04 and p=0.03). A decreased maximum PCF showed significant correlation with receiving any transfusion at 6 (p=0.04) and 24 hours (p=0.02) as well as transfusion of pRBCs, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets in the first 6 hours (p=0.03, p=0.03, p=0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Assessing coagulopathy in real time remains challenging in trauma patients. In this pilot study, we demonstrated that microfluidic approaches incorporating shear stress could predict transfusion requirements at time of admission as well as requirements in the first 24 hours. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Study Design. Retrospective review of prospectively collected data. Objectives. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of obese patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and open TLIF. Summary of Background Data. The perioperative benefits of minimally invasive surgery in obese patients have been described. However, there is limited literature on the patient-reported outcomes (PROs), satisfaction and return to work following MIS-TLIF and open TLIF in this subgroup of patients. Materials and Methods. Obese patients (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m²) who underwent a primary, one-level to two-level open and MIS-TLIF were stratified and matched using propensity scoring. Operative time, length of stay, and perioperative outcomes were recorded. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) including Oswestry disability index, Short Form-36 physical component score, mental component score, visual analogue scale for back pain and leg pain were compared at each postoperative time point. Achievement of minimal clinically important difference (MCID), patient satisfaction and return to work were also assessed. Revision procedures were recorded at mean 10 ± 3.3 years follow-up. Results. In total, 236 obese patients were included: 118 open TLIF and 118 MIS-TLIF. Length of stay was longer in the open TLIF cohort and there was a trend toward a higher complication rate. However, there was no difference in operative time, transfusions, or readmissions. Patients who underwent open TLIF reported worse ODI (P = 0.043) and VAS leg pain at two years, although the latter did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.095). Achievement of MCID for each PRO, patient satisfaction, and return to work were also comparable. Conclusions. Obese patients who underwent MIS-TLIF had a shorter length of stay and improved functional disability at two years compared those who underwent open TLIF. However, a similar proportion achieved a clinical meaningful improvement. Patient satisfaction and return to work were also comparable at two years. Level of Evidence: Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has improved outcomes and mortality in infants with >36 weeks' gestational age (GA) with moderate-to-severe HIE. There are limited data on the safety and efficacy of TH in preterm infants with HIE. This study describes our experience and examines the safety of TH in neonates with <36 weeks' GA. Study Design A single-center, retrospective study of preterm neonates born at <36 weeks' GA with moderate-to-severe HIE and treated with TH, compared to a cohort of term neonates with HIE (≥37 weeks' GA), was conducted. The term cohort was matched for degree of background abnormality on electroencephalogram, sex, inborn versus outborn status, and birth year. Medical records were reviewed for pregnancy and delivery complications, need for transfusion, sedation and antiseizure medications, electroencephalography and imaging findings, and in-hospital mortality. Results Forty-two neonates born at <36 weeks' GA with HIE received TH between 2005 and 2022. Data from 42 term neonates were analyzed for comparison. The average GA of the preterm cohort was 34.6 weeks and 39.3 weeks for the term cohort. Apgar scores, degree of acidosis, and need for blood product transfusions were similar between groups. Preterm infants were more likely to require inotropic support (55 vs. 29%, p = 0.026) and hydrocortisone (36 vs. 12%, p = 0.019) for hypotension. The proportion of infants without evidence of injury on magnetic resonance imaging was similar in both groups: 43 versus 50% in preterm and term infants, respectively. No significant difference was found in mortality between groups. Conclusion In this single-center cohort, TH in preterm infants appears to be as safe as in term infants, with no significant increase in intracranial bleeds or mortality. Preterm infants more frequently required inotropes and steroids for hypotension. Further research is needed to determine efficacy of TH in preterm infants. Key Points TH is used off-protocol in preterm infants. Preterm and term infants have similar mortality. Preterm cohort required more inotropic support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Current guidelines recommend that the International Normalized Ratio (INR) be less than 1.5 prior to spine intervention. Recent studies have shown that an INR > 1.25 is associated worse outcomes following anterior cervical surgery. We sought to determine the risk of complications associated with an INR > 1.25 following elective posterior cervical surgery. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried. Patients undergoing elective posterior cervical surgery from 2012 to 2016 with an INR level within 24 h of surgery were included. Primary outcomes were hematoma requiring surgery, 30-day mortality, and transfusions within 72-hours. There were 815 patients in the INR ≤ 1 cohort (Cohort A), 410 patients in the 1 < INR ≤ 1.25 cohort (Cohort B), and 33 patients in the 1.25 < INR ≤ 1.5 cohort (Cohort C). Results: Cohort C had a higher rate of transfusion (4% Cohort A; 6% Cohort B; 12% Cohort C; p = 0.028) and the rate of mortality within 30 days postoperatively trended toward significance (0.4% Cohort A; 0.5% Cohort B; 3% Cohort C; p = 0.094). There was no significant difference in the rate of postoperative hematoma formation requiring surgery (0.2% Cohort A; 0% Cohort B; 0% Cohort C; p = 0.58). On multivariate analysis, increasing INR was not associated with an increased risk of developing a major complication. Conclusion: An INR > 1.25 but ≤ 1.5 may be safe for posterior cervical surgery. An INR > 1.25 but ≤ 1.5 was associated with a significantly higher rate of transfusions. However, increasing INR was not significantly associated with increased risk of any of the major complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusion To develop key performance indicators (KPI) for use in quality assessment of our institutional goal‐directed massive transfusion (GDMT).A team comprising our transfusion and emergency medicine departments carried out a cross‐sectional data analysis of GDMT in adult patients from January 2021 to December 2022. The study was rooted in the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control (DMAIC) approach. Features of KPIs were (a) importance, (b) scientific soundness and (c) feasibility. Study parameters were defined and analysed using measures of central tendencies and benchmark comparison.Ninety‐two massive transfusion events occurred and 1405 blood components were used. Trauma was the leading cause, followed by postpartum haemorrhage and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Appropriate GDMT activation was observed only in 43.47% of events. The turnaround time (TAT) was within the benchmark in 85.8% of events with an average of 16 ± 10 min. The average utilization of blood components was 20.5 (interquartile range [IQR] = 11.3) in the appropriate group and 5.5 (IQR = 4.25) in the inappropriate group with a wastage rate of 3.5%. Duration of activation was 6.19 ± 4.59 h, and the adherence to thromboelastography was 66.3%. Overall mortality was 45.65%, and the average duration of hospital stay was 6.1 ± 5.9 days.The KPIs developed were easy to capture, and the analysis provided a comprehensive approach to the quality improvement of the GDMT protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Study Design and Methods Results Conclusion Trauma remains the leading cause of pediatric mortality in the United States. Although use of massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) in this population is widespread, optimal pediatric resuscitation is not well established. We sought to assess contemporary pediatric MTP practice in the United States.A web‐based survey was designed by the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) Pediatric Transfusion Medicine Subsection and distributed to select American College of Surgeons (ACS) Level I Verified pediatric trauma centers. The survey assessed current MTP policy, implementation, and recent changes in practice.Response rate was 55% (22/40). Almost half of the respondents were from the South. The median RBC:plasma ratio was 1 (interquartile range 1–1.5). Protocolized fibrinogen supplementation was common while integration of antifibrinolytic therapy into MTPs was infrequent. Viscoelastic testing (VET) was available at most sites, 71% (15/21, one site did not respond), and was generally utilized on an ad‐hoc basis. Roughly, a third of sites had changed their MTP in the past 3 years due to blood supply issues, and about a third reported having group O Whole Blood on‐site.MTP practice is similar throughout the United States. Though fibrinogen supplementation is common—other emerging interventions such as antifibrinolytic therapy or utilization of routine viscoelastic testing—are not widespread. Pediatric transfusion medicine experts must continue to follow practice change, as contemporary large trials begin to characterize new supportive modalities to optimize resuscitation in pediatric trauma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aims Conclusions Although direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been used in the adult population for over a decade, DOACs use has begun to rise in pediatric populations since FDA approval of rivaroxaban and dabigatran, DOACs offer several advantages for pediatric patients, to other anticoagulants, including a similar safety profile, minimal lab monitoring, and ease of administration. The rise in DOAC use has led to an increasing number of pediatric patients managed on DOACs presenting for elective and urgent procedures. Perioperative management of anticoagulation is often challenging for providers due to the lack of expert consensus guidelines and the difficulty in balancing a patient's thrombotic risk with bleeding risk for a given procedure.Using the most up to date literature, we provide a focused review on the perioperative management of DOACs in pediatric patients.This work presents a focused review for pediatric anesthesiologists on clinically available DOACs, perioperative monitoring and management of DOACs, as well as options and indications for reversal. While consensus expert practice guidelines are still needed, we hope this work will familiarize perioperative physicians with these agents, recommended uses, and potential perioperative management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evaluation of the influence of the age of the patients upon the outcomes of liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: HCC patients who underwent LR between 2010 and 2020 were analyzed. They were divided into 3 groups depending on the patient's age. Group I (patients less than 60 years), Group II (patients between 60 and 69 years), and Group III (patients equal to or more than 70 years). Results: 364 patients were included. A significantly higher serum bilirubin and alpha feto-protein were noted in Group I and serum creatinine was noted in Group III. The study groups did not show any significant differences regarding HCC site, number, macrovascular invasion, the extent of LR, Pringle maneuver, and perioperative blood transfusions. Longer operation time was found in Groups II and III, while more blood loss was noted in Group (I) Group I patients had longer hospital stays. Higher postoperative morbidities were noted in both Group I and Group (II) Higher incidence of post-hepatectomy liver dysfunction was noted in Group I. More early mortalities were found in Group I, related to liver failure. We did not experience early mortality in Group (III) Late Mortalities occurred in 117 patients (32.1%). HCC recurrence occurred in 165 patients (45.3%). Regarding the overall- and tumor-free survival, we did not experience any significant differences among the 3 groups (Log Rank: p = 0.371 and 0.464 respectively). Conclusions: Curative LR can be safely performed in selected elderly patients with HCC. An advanced patient's age should not be considered as a contraindication for curative LR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Methods Results Conclusion Methods for femoral venous haemostasis following electrophysiology (EP) procedures include manual compression (MC) and suture‐based techniques such as a figure‐of‐eight suture secured with a hand‐tied knot (Fo8HT) or a modified figure‐of‐eight suture secured with a 3‐way stopcock (Fo8MOD). We hypothesised that short‐term bleeding outcomes using the Fo8MOD approach would be superior to MC. We additionally compared outcomes between Fo8MOD and Fo8HT approaches.We studied consecutive patients undergoing EP procedures at our institution between March and December 2023. Patients were categorised into three haemostasis groups: MC, Fo8HT and Fo8MOD. Access site complications were classified as major (requiring intervention or blood transfusion, delaying discharge or resulting in death) or minor (bleeding/haematoma requiring additional compression).1089 patients were included: MC 718 (65.9%); Fo8HT 105 (9.6%); Fo8MOD 266 (24.4%). Procedures were most commonly for atrial fibrillation (52.4%), atrial flutter (10.9%), and atrioventricular nodal re‐entrant tachycardia (10.1%). In patients receiving periprocedural anticoagulation (865, 79.4%), Fo8MOD associated with fewer complications than MC or Fo8HT (major: MC 2.2%, Fo8HT 6.0%, Fo8MOD 0.8%, p = .01; minor: MC 16.5%, Fo8HT 12.0%, Fo8MOD 7.4%, p = .002). In patients not receiving periprocedural anticoagulation, complications did not differ between haemostasis methods (total major and minor complications 5.8%, p = .729 for between groups rates). On multivariable logistic regression, Fo8MOD was associated with a significantly lower risk of access site complications (OR 0.29 [95% CI 0.17–0.48], p < .001), whilst intraprocedural heparinisation (OR 5.25 [2.88–9.69], p < .001) and larger maximal sheath size (OR 1.06 [1.00–1.11], p = .04) were associated with a higher risk of complications.Femoral haemostasis with Fo8MOD associates with fewer access site complications than MC and Fo8HT following EP procedures that need periprocedural anticoagulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the relationship between preoperative low serum albumin and perioperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Methods: We enrolled 2,772 TJA patients from our hospital between January 1, 2017, and January 1, 2022. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records, including patient ID, sex, BMI (Body Mass Index), age, and diagnoses. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to establish thresholds for serum albumin levels categorization. Propensity score matching (PSM) was developed with preoperative serum albumin as the dependent variable and perioperative blood transfusion-related factors as covariates, including BMI grade, age grade, sex, diagnosis, hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, cerebral infarction, major surgeries within the last 12 months, renal failure, cancer, depression, corticosteroid use, smoking, drinking, and blood type. The low serum albumin group was matched with the normal albumin group at a 1:2 ratio, employing a caliper value of 0.2. Binary logistic regression was employed to analyze the outcomes. Results: An under the curve of 0.601 was discovered, indicating a cutoff value of 37.3 g/L. Following PSM, 892 cases were successfully paired in the low serum (< 37.3 g/L) albumin group, and 1,401 cases were matched in the normal serum albumin (≥ 37.3 g/L) group. Binary logistic regression in TJA patients showed that the albumin OR was 0.911 with 95%CI 0.888–0.935, P < 0.001. Relative to the preoperative normal serum albumin group, TJA patients in the low serum albumin group experienced a 1.83-fold increase in perioperative blood transfusion rates (95% CI 1.50–2.23, P < 0.001). Compared to the normal serum albumin group, perioperative blood transfusion rates for TJA patients with serum albumin levels of 30–37.3 g/L, 25–30 g/L, and ≤ 25 g/L increased by 1.63 (95% CI 1.37–1.99, P < 0.001), 5.4 (95% CI 3.08–9.50, P < 0.001), and 6.43 times (95% CI 1.80-22.96, P = 0.004), respectively. Conclusion: In TJA patients, preoperative low serum albumin levels have been found to be associated with an increased risk of perioperative blood transfusion. Furthermore, it has been observed that the lower the preoperative serum albumin level is, the higher the risk of perioperative blood transfusion. Trial registration: 28/12/2021, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCRT2100054844. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surveillance of HIV-1 pre-treatment drug resistance (PDR) is essential for ensuring the success of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). Beside population-based surveys, sentinel surveillance of PDR and circulating HIV-1 clades in specific populations such as blood donors could efficiently inform decision-making on ART program. We therefore sought to ascertain HIV-1 residual infection, the threshold of PDR and viral diversity among recently-diagnosed blood donors in Gabon. Methods: A sentinel surveillance was conducted among 381 consenting blood donors at the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) in Gabon from August 3,2020 to August, 31, 2021. In order to determine the residual risk of HIV transmission, viral load and HIV-1 Sanger-sequencing were performed at the Chantal BIYA International Reference Center (CIRCB)-Cameroon on HIV samples previously tested seronegative with ELISA in Gabon. Phylogeny was performed using MEGA X, PDR threshold>10% was considered high and data were analysed using p≤0.05 for statistical significance. Results: Five HIV-negative blood donors had a detectable viral load indicating a high residual risk of HIV transmission. Among the samples successfully sequenced, four participants had major drug resistance mutations (DRMs), giving a threshold of PDR of 25% (4/16). By drug class, major DRMs targeting NNRTI (K103N, E138G), NRTIs (L210W) and PI/r (M46L). The most representative viral clades were CRF02_AG and subtype A1. The genetic diversity of HIV-1 had no significant effect on the residual risk in blood transfusion (CRF02_AG, P = 0.3 and Recombinants, P = 0.5). Conclusion: This sentinel surveillance indicates a high residual risk of HIV-1 transfusion in Gabon, thereby underscoring the need for optimal screening strategy for blood safety. Moreover, HIV-1 transmission goes with high-risk of PDR, suggesting suboptimal efficacy of ART. Nonetheless, the genetic diversity has limited (if any effect) on the residual risk of infection and PDR in blood donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Non-compressible torso hemorrhagic (NCTH) shock is the leading cause of potentially survivable trauma on the battlefield. New hypotensive drug therapies are urgently required to resuscitate and protect the heart and brain following NCTH. Our aim was to examine the strengths and limitations of permissive hypotension and discuss the development of small-volume adenosine, lidocaine, and Mg2+ (ALM) fluid resuscitation in rats and pigs. Materials and Methods For review of permissive hypotension, a literature search was performed from inception up to November 2023 using PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases, with inclusion of animal studies, clinical trials and reviews with military and clinical relevance. For the preclinical study, adult female pigs underwent laparoscopic liver resection. After 30 minutes of bleeding, animals were resuscitated with 4 mL/kg 3% NaCl ± ALM bolus followed 60 minutes later with 4 h 3 mL/kg/h 0.9% NaCl ± ALM drip (n  = 10 per group), then blood transfusion. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac output (CO) were continuously measured via a left ventricular pressure catheter and pulmonary artery catheter, respectively. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was calculated using the formula: 80 × (MAP − CVP)/CI. Oxygen delivery was calculated as the product of CO and arterial oxygen content. Results Targeting a MAP of ∼50 mmHg can be harmful or beneficial, depending on how CO and SVR are regulated. A theoretical example shows that for the same MAP of 50 mmHg, a higher CO and lower SVR can lead to a nearly 2-fold increase in O2 supply. We further show that in animal models of NCTH, 3% NaCl ALM bolus and 0.9% NaCl ALM drip induce a hypotensive, high flow, vasodilatory state with maintained tissue O2 supply and neuroprotection. ALM therapy increases survival by resuscitating the heart, reducing internal bleeding by correcting coagulopathy, and decreasing secondary injury. Conclusions In rat and pig models of NCTH, small-volume ALM therapy resuscitates at hypotensive pressures by increasing CO and reducing SVR. This strategy is associated with heart and brain protection and maintained tissue O2 delivery. Translational studies are required to determine reproducibility and optimal component dosing. ALM therapy may find wide utility in prehospital and far-forward military environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Hypocalcemia is associated with increased mortality in trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock who require massive transfusion protocols (MTPs). Despite known risks of potentiating hypocalcemia with blood product administration, there is little research discussing appropriate calcium replacement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of a standardized calcium replacement protocol to reduce the incidence of hypocalcemia in trauma patients undergoing MTP. Methods This retrospective, single-center, pre-post study evaluated the use of a calcium replacement protocol during MTP. Adult trauma patients with MTP orders who received at least one "round" of product transfusion were included. Patients were excluded if their ionized calcium (iCa) levels were unavailable or they were transferred to a higher level of care within 4 hours of presentation. The primary outcome was incidence of hypocalcemia (iCa of <1.1 mg/dL) within 24 hours of MTP initiation. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of severe hypocalcemia (iCa of <0.9 mg/dL), time to first calcium dose, total calcium dose administered (mEq), resolution of hypocalcemia within 24 hours, hypercalcemia, adherence to the calcium replacement protocol, and mortality. Results The incidence of hypocalcemia within 24 hours was significantly lower in the postprotocol group (63% vs 95.2%; P = 0.006). There was not a significant difference in the incidence of severe hypocalcemia between the groups (39.1% vs 69.1%; P = 0.083). Time to first calcium dose was significantly shorter in postprotocol patients compared to preprotocol patients (median [interquartile range], 5.5 [0-21] minutes vs 43 [22.8-73] minutes; P < 0.0001), and postprotocol patients were administered more calcium during MTP (40.8 [27.2-54.4] mEq vs 27.2 [14-32.2] mEq; P = 0.005). Adherence to the protocol was seen in only 37% of patients in the postprotocol group. There was no difference in the rate of adverse events or overall mortality. Conclusion Trauma patients who received massive transfusion of blood products had a significantly lower incidence of hypocalcemia after a calcium replacement protocol was implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Study Design Results Conclusion To determine maternal and neonatal outcomes in individuals with iron deficiency receiving antepartum intravenous (IV) iron supplementation, stratified by the degree of anemia.Retrospective cohort study of iron‐deficient pregnant patients who received at least one IV infusion of iron (iron sucrose, low molecular weight iron dextran [LMWID], or ferric carboxymaltose) during their pregnancy from January 1, 2011 through June 16, 2022. Our primary outcomes included both neonatal composite morbidity and maternal composite morbidity in the context of maternal anemia.Patients who received LMWID had fewer infusion visits, received higher total doses of iron and had a more substantial correction of hemoglobin compared to those who received iron sucrose (p < 0.01). Maternal anemia at the time of admission was not associated with neonatal composite morbidity. However, there was a significant association between anemia status and maternal composite outcome (p = 0.05). Anemia at time of delivery was associated with the likelihood of requiring a blood transfusion (p = 0.01).This study reinforces previous findings emphasizing the adverse effects of iron deficiency on maternal health and the role of IV iron in reducing these risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the gold-standard treatment for large renal stones. One potentially significant complication of PCNL is blood loss, which can result in transfusion requirement and poorer stone-free outcomes. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has emerged as a promising intervention, administered systemically (TXA-S) or as part of irrigation fluid (TXA-I) in endourology. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze existing evidence regarding the applications of TXA in PCNL through a Bayesian network meta-analysis, offering insights into its efficacy and comparative effectiveness. METHODS: In February 2022, a PRISMA-compliant systematic review (PROSPERO registration number CRD42021270593) was performed to identify randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) on TXA as either systemic therapy or in irrigation fluid. Studies in languages other than English and Spanish were not considered. A Bayesian network was built using results from identified studies to create models that were later run through Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling through 200 000 iterations. RESULTS: Eight RCTs compared TXA-S vs. placebo, one TXA-I vs. placebo, and one TXA-I vs. TXA-S. TXA-I had lower risk of transfusion (relative risk [RR] 0.63 [0.47,0.84], SUCRA 0.950) than TXA-S (RR 0.79 [0.65,0.95], SUCRA 0.545). TXA-I had a lower risk of complications (RR 0.38 [0.21,0.67], SUCRA=0.957) compared to TXA-S (RR 0.55 [0.39, 0.78], SUCRA 0.539). TXA-I had a lower postoperative decrease in hemoglobin (mean difference [MD] -1.2 [1.3, 1.0], SUCRA 0.849) compared to TXA-S (MD-0.97 [-1.0, -0.93], SUCRA 0.646]). CONCLUSIONS: TXA, regardless of the route of administration, is an effective intervention in decreasing bleeding, postoperative complications, and risk of transfusion when compared with placebo. Further studies directly comparing TXA-S to TXA-I would be useful to determine the optimal route of delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Camonsertib is a selective oral inhibitor of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase with demonstrated efficacy in tumors with DNA damage response gene deficiencies. On-target anemia is the main drug-related toxicity typically manifesting after the period of dose-limiting toxicity evaluation. Thus, dose and schedule optimization requires extended follow-up to assess prolonged treatment effects. Methods Long-term safety, tolerability, and antitumor efficacy of 3 camonsertib monotherapy dosing regimens were assessed in the TRESR study dose-optimization phase: 160 mg once daily (QD) 3 days on, 4 days off (160 3/4; the preliminary recommended Phase II dose [RP2D]) and two step-down groups of 120 mg QD 3/4 (120 3/4) and 160 mg QD 3/4, 2 weeks on, 1 week off (160 3/4, 2/1w). Safety endpoints included incidence of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), dose modifications, and transfusions. Efficacy endpoints included overall response rate, clinical benefit rate, progression-free survival, and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based molecular response rate. Results The analysis included 119 patients: 160 3/4 (n = 67), 120 3/4 (n = 25), and 160 3/4, 2/1w (n = 27) treated up to 117.1 weeks as of the data cutoff. The risk of developing grade 3 anemia was significantly lower in the 160 3/4, 2/1w group compared with the preliminary RP2D group (hazard ratio = 0.23, 2-sided P  = .02), translating to reduced transfusion and dose reduction requirements. The intermittent weekly schedule did not compromise antitumor activity. Conclusion The 160 3/4, 2/1w dose was established as an optimized regimen for future camonsertib monotherapy studies offering a substantial reduction in the incidence of anemia without any compromise to efficacy. Clinical Trial ID NCT04497116. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cardiac injury caused by iron overload is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with beta-thalassemia, owing to frequent blood transfusion, increased iron overload, and blood hemolysis. Objective This research aimed to assess several novel cardiac biomarkers in the blood samples of children and adult patients with beta-thalassemia major (βTM), along with their respective control groups. These biomarkers included endothelin 1 (ET-1), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), and renalase (RNLS). Methods This case-control study was done on 46 patients with βTM (23 children <18 years, and 23 adults ≥18 years) from the Genetic Hematology Center in Thi-Qar province, Iraq, and 42 comparable controls in 2 groups (21 for each group) in the period from February to April 2023. Results Levels of ET-1, NT-proBNP, ANP, GDF-15, RNLS, and ferritin were higher in the children and adults with βTM than in the control subjects. Conclusion Elevations of the novel cardiac biomarkers ET-1, NT-proBNP, ANP, GDF-15, and RNLS in the sera of children and adult patients with βTM when compared with comparable control subjects confirm that the majority of patients with βTM are at risk of cardiac and cardiovascular complications even when there are no obvious symptoms, especially in children, which gives suitable predictive biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To present a new method for displaying blood utilization data based on analysis of decision time intervals (DTIs). Methods Retrospective study of patients treated in a medical intensive care unit (ICU), surgical ICU, or postcardiac surgery ICU at an academic hospital between January 2018 and June 2023. Each patient's episode of care was divided into a series of DTIs. Transfusions during each time interval were recorded. Results In total, 16,562 patients received 6980 units of plasma and 21,034 units of red blood cells during 111,557 time intervals of care. Patients had international normalized ratio (INR) values ranging from less than 1.0 to more than 4.0. Data on plasma transfusion at different INR values were displayed as the number of transfusion episodes, number of units given, or the proportion of DTIs with transfusion. Clinicians transfused plasma on 1.5% of occasions when the INR was 1.5 or less and on 2.2% of occasions when the INR was less than 2.0. Plasma was transfused without red blood cells in only 0.75% of DTIs. Transfusion practice was statistically different among the 3 ICUs. Conclusions Compared with traditional methods of displaying the results of blood audits, DTI analysis displays information regarding the decision both to transfuse and to not transfuse. Utilization reviews that display data based on decision time analysis reveal clinical practice patterns very different from those suggested by traditional displays of plasma audit data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired disorder of platelets with a complex and unclear mechanism of increased immune destruction or impaired production of platelets. While the management of ITP is evolving, there is still a need for guidance, particularly in certain circumstances such as pregnancy, emergencies, or patients requiring co-medications. We aimed to determine the tendencies of hematologists in Türkiye in the event of such special considerations. Materials and Methods: Applying a modified Delphi method, the Turkish National ITP Working Group, founded under the auspices of the Turkish Society of Hematology, developed a questionnaire consisting of statements regarding pregnancy, emergencies, and circumstances requiring co-treatment with antiaggregants or anticoagulants. A total of 107 hematologists working in university or state hospitals voted for their agreement or disagreement with the statements for two sequential rounds. Results: The participating hematologists reached an agreement on starting treatment for pregnant patients with platelets of less than 30x109/L and delivery either vaginally or by cesarean section being safe at platelet counts above 50x109/L. For emergencies and the rescue management of ITP, the panel agreed against the use of high-dose corticosteroids alone, preferring combinations with transfusions or intravenous immunoglobulin. For patients who require interventions, platelet counts of >50x109/L were regarded as safe for low-risk procedures as well as co-treatment with antiplatelets or anticoagulants. Conclusion: As the National ITP Study Group, we have observed the need to increase the practice guidance regarding patients with primary ITP requiring additional treatments including invasive interventions and co-treatments for coagulation. Decisions on the management of ITP during pregnancy should be individualized. There is a lack of consensus on the thresholds of platelet counts as well as co-morbidities and co-medications. This lack of consensus may be due to variations in practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Blood transfusion is a common perioperative complication of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that can lead to adverse outcomes, prolonged hospital stays, and increased medical costs. The purpose of our study was to explore the risk factors for blood transfusion and to establish whether operation duration is independently related to blood transfusion risk in patients undergoing primary TKA after adjusting for other covariates. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data from a retrospective cohort study involving patients who underwent primary TKA in Singapore. The patients' baseline data, comorbidity, and surgical characteristics were collected. The independent variable was operation duration and the dependent variable was blood transfusion events. Patients were divided into three groups according to operation durations (90 and 120 min). Univariate logistic regression was used to explore the risk factors associated with blood transfusion after primary TKA. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the independent effect of operation duration on blood transfusion risk after adjusting for other covariates. Additionally, we performed subgroup analyses to identify specific groups, test the robustness of the relationships, and explore whether there were interactions between the different variables. Furthermore, restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to identify the relationship between the two variables. Results: A total of 2,562 patients were included in the study, of whom 136 (5.61%) had a transfusion event. Operation durations were 95.55 ± 36.93 and 83.86 ± 26.29 min for blood transfused and non-transfused patients, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, BMI, ASA status, Hb level, OSA, CHF, creatinine level > 2 mg/dL, and anaesthesia type were risk factors for blood transfusion. After adjusting for all covariates, multivariate logistic regression models showed that operation duration was positively associated with blood transfusion risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.174–2.933, P = 0.007). Compared to patients with an operation duration of less than 90 min, those with an operation duration of more than 120 min had a 2.141-fold increased risk of blood transfusion (OR = 2.141, 95% CI = 1.035–4.265, P = 0.035). Stratified analysis results showed that the association persisted in patients aged > 50 years, Chinese, BMI > 30 kg/m 2, Hb level > 11 g/dL, ASA status levels 2 and 3, general anaesthesia, and unilateral primary TKA. A non-linear (P-non-linear = 0.30) and J-shaped relationship was identified. The risk of transfusion increased as the operation duration decreased or exceeded the inflection point (73.2 min). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a non-linear and J-shaped relationship between operation duration and blood transfusion events in patients undergoing primary TKA. Blood transfusion risk was the lowest when the operation duration was 73.2 min. A shorter operation duration implies irregular surgical procedures and incomplete intraoperative haemostasis, leading to increased perioperative blood loss and blood transfusion. These results will be useful for clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Providing resilient Damage Control Resuscitation capabilities as close to the point of injury as possible is paramount to reducing mortality and improving patient outcomes for our nation's warfighters. Emergency Fresh Whole Blood Transfusions (EFWBT) play a critical role in supporting this capability, especially in future large-scale combat operations against peer adversaries with expected large patient volumes, restrictive operating environments, and unreliable logistical supply lines. Although there are service-specific training programs for whole blood transfusion, there is currently no dedicated EFWBT training for future military medical officers. To address this gap, we developed, implemented, and evaluated a training program to enhance EFWBT proficiency in third-year military medical students at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine at the USU. Materials and Methods After reviewing both the 75th Ranger Regiment Ranger O-Low Titer program and the Marine Corps' Valkyrie program, along with the relevant Joint Trauma System Clinical Practice Guidelines, we created a streamlined and abbreviated training curriculum. The training consisted of both online preparatory materials as well as a 2-hour in-person training that included didactic and experiential learning components. Participants were 165 active duty third-year medical students at USU. Participants were assessed using a pre- and post-assessment self-reported questionnaire on their confidence in the practical application and administrative oversight requirements of an EFWBT program. Participants' performance was also assessed using a pre/post knowledge assessment consisting of 10 multiple choice questions identified as critical to understanding of the academic principles of EFWBT along with the baseline questionnaire. Results Differences in the mean scores of the pre- and post-assessment self-reported questionnaire (increased from 2.32 to 3.95) were statistically significant (P  < .001). Similarly, there was a statistically significant improvement in student test scores, with the mean score increasing by approximately 3 points or 30%. There was no significant difference in student confidence assessment or test scores based on branch of service. Students who had previously deployed did not show a statistically significant difference in scores compared to students who had not previously deployed. Conclusions Our results suggest that the implementation of streamlined EFWBT training into the undergraduate medical education of future military medical officers offers an efficient way to improve their baseline proficiency in EFWBTs. Future research is needed to assess the impact of this training on real-world applications in forward-deployed environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have evaluated the use of laparoscopic staplers in robotic procedures (bedside stapling, BS). This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of BS compared with robotic staplers (RS) in bariatric robotic procedures. Methods: Patients who underwent robotic sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass elective procedures between 1/1/2021 and 12/31/2021 were extracted from PINC AI™ Healthcare Data. The following clinical outcomes were compared: blood transfusion, bleeding, anastomotic leak, intensive care unit (ICU) visit, and 30-day readmission, operating room (OR) time, inpatient costs, and length of stay. We evaluated baseline balance in BS and RS and bivariate association between covariates and outcomes using Chi-square or Fisher exact test and t-test or ANOVA. Multivariable general linear mixed models (GLMMs) with respective gamma or binomial distribution and log-link function were used to obtain adjusted outcomes variations between BS and RS. Results: Total of 7268 discharges were included with 1603 (22.1%) BS and 5665 (77.9%) RS cases. RS cases consisted of a higher number of patients who were Hispanic (17.0% vs. 9.4%), had Medicaid (26.9% vs. 19.4%) and underwent sleeve gastrectomy (68.4% vs. 53.5%). Higher proportions of RS cases were done by providers in Northeast region (35.5% vs. 24.3%), smaller size (< 500 beds; 71.1% vs. 52.3%), and teaching hospitals (59.4% vs. 39%). The adjusted outcomes variations demonstrated that patients that had RS were significantly more likely to have blood transfusions, ICU stays, increased ORT (19 min) and costs ($1273). Sensitivity analysis showed similar results, except no significant differences in blood transfusion rates in both groups. Conclusions: Bedside staplers significantly reduce healthcare resource utilization with equivalent effectiveness and fewer ICU stays compared to robotic staplers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The safety and efficacy of robotic liver resection (RLR) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported worldwide. However, the exact role of RLR in HCC patients with liver cirrhosis is not sufficiently determined. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on consecutive patients with cirrhosis or non-cirrhosis who received RLR for HCC from 2018 to 2023. Data on patients' demographics and perioperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors of prolonged postoperative length of stay (LOS) and morbidity. Results: Of the 571 patients included, 364 (64%) had cirrhosis. Among the cirrhotic patients, 48 (13%) were classified as Child–Pugh B. After PSM, the cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis group (n = 183) had similar operative time, estimated blood loss, postoperative blood transfusion, LOS, overall morbidity (p > 0.05). In addition, the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were similar between the two groups in the subgroup analyses of patients with tumor size ≥ 5 cm, major hepatectomy, and high/expert IWATE difficulty grade. However, patients with Child–Pugh B cirrhosis had longer LOS and more overall morbidity than that of Child–Pugh A. Child–Pugh B cirrhosis, ASA score > 2, longer operative time, and multiple tumors were risk factors of prolonged LOS or morbidity in patients with cirrhosis. Conclusion: The presence of Child–Pugh A cirrhosis didn't significantly influence the difficulty and perioperative outcomes of RLR for selected patients with HCC. However, even in high-volume center, Child–Pugh B cirrhosis was a risk factor for poor postoperative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To measure baseline work gratitude among nurses and staff on a blood and marrow transplantation unit; to evaluate the impact of a positive workplace recognition intervention on work gratitude, sense of belonging and community, and job satisfaction; and to explore the relationships among these variables and job satisfaction. SAMPLE & SETTING: In total, 40 survey responses (preintervention =24, postintervention = 16) were collected from nurses and staff on a blood and marrow transplantation unit at a large academic hospital. METHODS & VARIABLES: A pre- and postintervention survey included a demographic questionnaire and the Work Gratitude Scale. Publicfacing digital signage was installed and used to project positive recognition, including expressions of gratitude from patients and staff. RESULTS: Those with higher job satisfaction and a stronger sense of belonging and community reported higher work gratitude scores. There were no significant changes in job satisfaction, sense of belonging and community, and work gratitude scores. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Creating a positive work environment through gratitude and positive recognition could increase job satisfaction and sense of belonging and community among nurses and staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Piezosurgery® device in endoscopic-assisted correction of trigonocephaly. Trigonocephaly is a type of craniosynostosis characterized by a triangular-shaped forehead due to the premature fusion of the metopic suture. Traditional open cranial vault reconstruction, although common, is invasive and poses risks. The study explores a less invasive alternative using ultrasonic microvibrations for bone cutting, potentially reducing soft tissue damage and improving surgical outcomes. Methods: The Piezosurgery® device was employed in endoscopic trigonocephaly correction surgeries performed on patients under 4 months old at the French Referral Center for Craniosynostosis in Lyon. The technique involves making a small skin incision and performing osteotomies from the anterior fontanel to the glabella. A rigid 0° endoscope provides visibility, and the Piezosurgery® device enables precise bone cutting while preserving the dura mater. Post-surgery, patients were discharged within 3 days and required to wear a remodeling helmet for 6–8 months. Results: The use of Piezosurgery® device allowed precise osteotomies with minimal soft tissue damage. No dura mater injuries occurred in the patient series. The procedure was efficient, with an average duration of 80 min, and blood loss was minimal, reducing the need for blood transfusions. The endoscopic approach facilitated shorter surgical times and reduced postoperative infection risks. Enhanced visibility during surgery, due to cavitation effects, improved the accuracy of bone cuts. The technique demonstrated promising safety and esthetic outcomes, although it incurred higher costs compared to traditional methods. Conclusion: Piezosurgery® device provides a safe and effective method for minimally invasive endoscopic correction of trigonocephaly. The device's ability to selectively cut bone while preserving soft tissues offers significant advantages, despite longer surgical times and higher costs. This technique represents a viable alternative to traditional open surgery, promoting better clinical outcomes and reduced recovery times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 15-year-old girl with migratory joint pain, rash, and respiratory symptoms, ultimately diagnosed with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Topics discussed include the diagnostic challenges of pulmonary hemorrhage, the role of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides in such presentations, and the management strategies involving corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.

Since the FDA's approval of rasburicase use for treatment of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), multiple cases of rasburicase-induced methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia have been reported among patients with G6PD deficiency. This study aims to provide a systematic review of cases reporting such adverse reactions to rasburicase. A literature review of published cases in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science was conducted. Descriptive studies reporting cases of rasburicase-induced methemoglobinemia and/or hemolytic anemia in English were analyzed and summarized in this study. Forty-three cases, including a case from our institution, were included in this study. Most cases (60.5%) received rasburicase for TLS treatment. Almost all patients (93.8%) were tested for G6PD after rasburicase administration. The median time to symptom onset was 24 h. The median methemoglobin level was 10%, peaking after a median of 24 h. The median hemoglobin nadir was 6.1 g/dL, and most patients (n = 32) required blood transfusion. Out of 39 cases with reported outcomes, 35 patients (89.7%) recovered, while four patients (three females and one male) died. The median time to recovery was 4.5 days while the median time to death was 8 days. Screening for G6PD deficiency among high-risk patients is important but not practical in acutely severe settings. When prior screening for G6PD deficiency is not feasible, close monitoring for methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia is recommended. Exchange transfusion is increasingly reported as a potentially successful therapeutic modality. Ascorbic acid may provide limited benefits. Methylene blue should be avoided as it may exacerbate hemolysis among these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimally invasive hepatectomy for difficult lesions located in posterosuperior segments (segments I, IVa, VII and VIII) remains challenging. The value of robotic liver resection (RLR) compared with laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for posterosuperior segments is controversial. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to validate the safety and efficacy of RLR in posterosuperior segments. The Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched to identify available research published up to October 2023. Statistical analysis was performed with RevMan software version 5.3. Six studies with a total of 2289 patients (RLR: n = 749; LLR: n = 1540) were included in this meta-analysis. The RLR group had less intraoperative blood loss (WMD = −119.54 ml, 95% CI: −178.89 to −60.19, P < 0.0001), fewer blood transfusions (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.80, P = 0.001), a lower conversion rate (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.61, P < 0.0001), and a shorter operative time (WMD = −27.16 min, 95% CI: −35.95 to −18.36, P < 0.00001). Compared with LLR, RLR for lesions in the posterosuperior segments could be safe and effective, and it has superior surgical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaemia, blood loss, and blood transfusion are critical aspects of patient care in major orthopaedic surgery. We assessed hospital adherence to guideline-recommended Patient Blood Management (PBM) care, analysed variations between hospitals, and validated two composite indicators of hospital PBM performance in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA). This retrospective cohort study included all primary TKA and THA procedures performed during 2021 across 39 hospitals in Spain. We assessed hospital adherence to key guideline-recommended PBM interventions using nine individual quality indicators and two types of composite quality indicators (cQIs): opportunity-based (cQI1) and all-or-none (cQI2). We validated these cQIs by analysing their associations with the adjusted total transfusion index using linear regression. We included 8561 patient episodes from 33 hospitals in the analysis. Delivery of PBM care was similar for TKA and THA. Patients received 62% of the analysed PBM interventions and only 12% of patients underwent the full PBM pathway. Higher hospital cQIs scores were associated with a lower adjusted total transfusion index, both in TKA and THA. The greatest association was found for cQI1 in THA patients (β=−1.18 [95% confidence interval −2.00 to −0.36]; P =0.007). Hospital adherence to guideline-recommended patient blood management care in total hip and knee arthroplasty was suboptimal and varied across centres. Using data that are widely available in hospitals, quality indicators and composite scores could become valuable tools for patient blood management monitoring and comparisons between healthcare organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the outcomes of factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity (FEIBA) versus fresh frozen plasma (FFP) as the primary treatment for postoperative coagulopathy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A retrospective, propensity-matched study. A single, tertiary hospital. Patients who underwent noncoronary cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between 2015 and 2023. None. We stratified patients into 2 groups based on whether they received intraoperative FFP or FEIBA; cases using both were excluded. We analyzed 434 cases, with 197 receiving FFP and 237 receiving FEIBA. After propensity matching, there was no significant difference in the proportion of the patients who required packed red blood cell transfusions (p = 0.08). However, of those who required packed red blood cell transfusions, patients in the FEIBA group required significantly fewer units of packed red blood cells (p < 0.001). Significantly fewer patients in the FEIBA group required platelet (p < 0.001) and cryoprecipitate (p < 0.001) transfusions. The FEIBA group showed decreased prolonged postoperative intubation (p = 0.05), decreased intensive care unit length of stay (p = 0.04), and lower 30-day readmission rates (p = 0.03). There were no differences in the rates of thrombotic complications between the 2 cohorts. In the initial treatment of postcardiopulmonary bypass coagulopathy, FEIBA may be more effective than FFP in decreasing blood product transfusions and readmission rates. Further studies are needed to explore the potential routine use of FEIBA as first-line agent in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to assess the impact of the closed-loop sampling method on blood loss and the need for blood transfusion in pediatric patients following cardiac surgery. Retrospective observational study. A single tertiary center. All pediatric patients younger than 4 years old who were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after cardiac surgery were enrolled. The study included 100 pediatric patients in the conservative (postimplementation) group and 43 pediatric patients in the nonconservative group (preimplementation). Observational. The primary outcome was the volume of blood loss during the PICU follow-up period. The secondary outcomes were the requirement for blood transfusion in each group, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, length of hospital stay, and mortality. In the conservative (postimplementation) group, blood loss during the follow-up period was 0.67 (0.33-1.16) mL/kg/d, while it was 0.95 (0.50-2.30) mL/kg/d in the nonconservative (preimplementation) group, demonstrating a significant reduction in blood loss in the conservative group (p = 0.012). The groups showed no significant differences in terms of the required blood transfusion volume postoperatively during the first 24 hours, first 48 hours, or after 48 hours (p = 0.061, 0.536, 0.442, respectively). The frequency of blood transfusion was comparable between the groups during the first 24 hours, first 48 hours, or after 48 hours postoperatively (p = 0.277, 0.639, 0.075, respectively). In addition, the groups did not show significant differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, or mortality. The closed-loop sampling method can be efficient in decreasing blood loss during postoperative PICU follow-up for pediatric patients after cardiac surgeries. However, its application did not reduce the frequency or the volume of blood transfusion in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Blood transfusion plays a crucial role in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The choice between autologous cell saver (CS) and allogenic blood transfusion (ABT) has been a continuous debate in the medical community, especially within cardiac surgery. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of off-pump CABG (OPCAB) surgery in patients receiving blood solely via cell salvage compared to those receiving ABT or a combination of ABT and CS perioperatively. Methods: A total of 414 patients who underwent isolated OPCAB surgery at our cardiovascular clinic were analyzed. Among them, 250 patients (60.4%) received blood via CS alone, while 164 patients (39.6%) received either ABT or a mix of ABT and CS. Stabilized inverse probability treatment weighted (IPTW) matching technique ensured balance in baseline covariates. Results: We found no significant differences in 30-day mortality rates between the CS and ABT groups. The CS group displayed significantly lower rates of overall complications, encompassing stroke, acute kidney injury, atrial fibrillation, and pulmonary complications. Rates of sepsis, readmission, gastrointestinal complications, heparin-induced thrombosis, and deep venous thrombosis were comparable between the two groups. However, in contrast to the ABT group, the CS group exhibited significantly shorter median lengths of hospital stay (LOHS), ICU stay, and ventilation time, along with higher rates of discharge to home rather than acute care facilities. Conclusion: Our data suggest that autologous blood transfusion via CS results in fewer perioperative complications and faster recovery following OPCAB procedures as compared to ABT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Jra antigen is a high-prevalence red blood cell (RBC) antigen. Reports on cases of fatal hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions suggest that antibodies against Jra (anti-Jra) have potential clinical significance. Identifying anti-Jra is challenging owing to a lack of commercially available antisera. We developed an alternative approach to rapidly predict the presence of anti-Jra using the Taq-Man single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-genotyping method. Methods: Residual peripheral blood samples from 10 patients suspected of having the anti-Jra were collected. Two samples with confirmed Jr(a-) RBCs and anti-Jra were used to validate the TaqMan genotyping assay by comparing the genotyping results with direct sequencing. The accuracy of the assay in predicting the presence of anti-Jra was verified through crossmatching with in-house Jr(a-) O+ RBCs. Results: The TaqMan-genotyping method was validated with two Jr(a-) RBC- and anti-Jraconfirmed samples that showed concordant Jra genotyping and direct sequencing results. Jra genotyping for the remaining samples and crossmatching the serum samples with inhouse Jr(a-) O+ RBCs showed consistent results. Conclusions: We validated a rapid, simple, accurate, and cost-effective method for predicting the presence of anti-Jra using a TaqMan-based SNP-genotyping assay. Implementing this method in routine practice in clinical laboratories will assist in solving difficult problems regarding alloantibodies to high-prevalence RBC antigens and ultimately aid in providing safe and timely transfusions and proper patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusion Blood donor questionnaires are tools used to screen prospective blood donors to determine their eligibility. There are limited data regarding blood donor questionnaires and infectious disease screening of the blood supply in Latin American countries. This study aimed to survey donor centres in Latin American countries to learn more about blood donor screening and infection assessment.An international team of transfusion medicine professionals including medical directors and supervisors who work or collaborate with Latin American donor centres, called ‘Comité de Investigación en Medicina Transfusional’, designed a survey (16 questions) to characterize blood donor eligibility in Latin America.Eighty‐two institutions from 14 Latin American countries responded to the survey. Most donor centres (66%; 54 of 82) had a donor deferral percentage between 5% and 25%, and the most common causes of deferrals were low haemoglobin and high‐risk behaviour. Most donors in blood centres were directed family donors compared with voluntary donors. Infection evaluation included mostly serologic assessment (81%; 30 of 37) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Treponema pallidum and Trypanosoma cruzi rather than nucleic acid tests (5%; 2 of 37).Heterogeneity exists in donor selection and infectious disease screening in Latin American countries. This survey provides valuable information to understand Latin American blood centre practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\nObjectives: This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of genotypes and iron metabolism imbalance in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients. Methods: Genotype analysis was conducted on 84 thalassemia patients requiring transfusion, and retrospective analysis of iron overload was performed on 48 transfusion-dependent patients. Results: Among the 84 thalassemia cases requiring transfusion, six mutations of α-thalassemia were identified, including --SEA, αCS, -α3.7, -α4.2, αQS, and αWS. Nine mutations of β-thalassemia were also found, with CD41-42 being the most common. Of the 48 transfusion-dependent patients, 40 (83.3%) had iron overload with serum ferritin (SF) levels above 1,000 ng/mL. The recent SF level was lower than 3 years ago, but the overall ferritin level remains elevated. Conclusions: β-thalassemia was the predominant type among transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients, with CD41-42/-28, CD41-42/IVS-II-654, and CD17/IVS-II-654 being the most common genotypes. Proper blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy are essential for managing transfusion-dependent thalassemia. While some patients show a reduction in SF levels after 3 years of treatment, there are still individuals who exhibit elevated levels necessitating ongoing management. This study is a retrospective research that investigates the genotype distribution and iron metabolic imbalance in thalassemia patients requiring blood transfusion. Eighty-four thalassemia patients needing transfusion were enrolled in the study and underwent genotype analysis. Among these patients, 56 were transfusion-dependent and 28 were non-transfusion-dependent. Of the 56 transfusion-dependent patients, 48 were observed for 3 years, and their iron overload status was analyzed in this study. Our research found that among the 84 thalassemia patients needing transfusion, there were six types of α-thalassemia deletions and nine types of β-thalassemia mutations. Among the 56 transfusion-dependent patients, three types of α-thalassemia genotypes and 15 types of β-thalassemia genotypes were identified. Among the 48 transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients observed for 3 years, 40 patients exhibited iron overload with SF levels exceeding 1,000 ng/mL. The recent SF levels were lower than those 3 years ago. Our study found that β-thalassemia is the most common type of transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Standard blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy are necessary for transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients. While some patients show a reduction in SF levels after 3 years of treatment, there are still individuals who exhibit elevated levels necessitating ongoing management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Method Results Conclusions Samples for transfusion rejected due to mislabelling can lead to harm when a patient has to be re‐bled or has a transfusion or procedure delayed. Electronic labelling systems which scan the patient's identification band and generate a label at their side aim to reduce mislabelling and misidentification leading to wrong blood in tube (WBIT) errors. The 2022 National Comparative audit of sample collection aimed to compare national rates of sample mislabelling and WBIT to the 2012 audit and to examine the impact of electronic systems.All UK hospitals were invited to provide data on rejected transfusion samples and WBIT incidents in 1 month (October 2022) and were asked if they had electronic labelling.Twenty‐three thousand five hundred and eighty‐four rejected samples were reported by 179 sites in 1 month. The rejection rate of 4.4% represents a 47% increase compared to 2012 (2.99%). There were 92 WBIT incidents, an incidence of 1 in 5882 samples—a 45% increase compared to 1 in 8547 in 2012. Twenty‐three percent of sites can print a sample label at the patient's side, up by 224%. The six sites using only electronic sample labelling had a 46.9% lower rejection rate than sites using only hand‐labelling but still reported WBIT.The increase in sample rejection and WBIT may reflect pressures facing clinical staff, zero tolerance policies and the two‐sample rule. A human factors approach to understanding and tackling underlying reasons locally is recommended. Electronic systems are associated with fewer labelling errors, but careful implementation and training is needed to maximise their safety benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Background Methods/Materials Results Conclusion This study aims to demonstrate the potential of myoglobin saturation as an indicator of oxygen delivery adequacy to help determine the need for red cell transfusion.Modern blood management approaches have been established to optimise use of red blood cells for transfusions in patients with anaemia. However, most approaches make recommendations to transfuse based on haemoglobin or haematocrit levels and do not directly address adequacy of oxygen delivery. Intracellular oxygen determined by myoglobin saturation directly measures oxygen delivery at the tissue level.A custom built spectrometer system with an optical fibre probe was used in this pilot study to measure muscle cell myoglobin saturation noninvasively from the first digital interosseous muscles in patients undergoing planned red blood cell transfusion. Patients were recruited from both the in‐patient and out‐patient oncology service at a major university medical centre. Measurements were made immediately before, immediately after, and 24 h following transfusion. Clinical data and tissue oxygen values from the Somanetics INVOS system were also collected.Myoglobin saturation, and thus cellular oxygen increased in some, but not all patients receiving a transfusion, and was most pronounced in patients who initially had low myoglobin saturation compared with the group as a whole.Clinical decisions to transfuse based on haemoglobin or haematocrit thresholds alone are likely insufficient to optimise use of red blood cell transfusions. The combination of haemoglobin or haematocrit with myoglobin saturation may optimally determine who will benefit physiologically from a transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myelofibrosis (MF), a complex hematological malignancy, presents a diverse array of symptoms, including anemia, constitutional symptoms, bone marrow insufficiency, and splenomegaly. The latter, often necessitating blood transfusions, poses an essential obstacle to MF management. While conventional approaches predominantly involve the use of JAK inhibitors, the potential for exacerbating anemia introduces complexity to the treatment. Nonetheless, Momelotinib stands out as a promising pharmaceutical compound with the potential to revolutionize the field. Momelotinib is an ACVR1 antagonist and a dual inhibitor of the JAK1 and JAK2 enzymes. By targeting MF's hematological and fibrotic aspects, Momelotinib influences iron metabolism by regulating hepcidin. This results in reduced hepcidin expression and increased iron availability, ultimately leading to improved anemia and reduced dependency on blood transfusion. This study aims to provide a concise overview of the pathogenesis of MF and elucidate the mechanism of action of Momelotinib. Subsequently, our review offers a practical summary encompassing the effects of Momelotinib in monotherapy, combined comparative drug therapy, and its associated side effects. Additionally, we explore the application of Momelotinib in other cancer types and investigate predictors for treatment success. Furthermore, we examine the utilization of Momelotinib in patients with liver and kidney failure. Highlights: MF is a complex hematological malignancy that has the potential to transform into acute myeloid leukemia in 20 % of cases Anemia occurs in approximately one-third of MF patients Momelotinib is a novel ACVR1 antagonist and a dual inhibitor of the JAK1 and JAK2 enzymes just FDA approved on September 15 A comprehensive applied review of this novel agent is lacking [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Sarcopenia is considered to be an important predictor of adverse outcomes following spinal surgery, but the specific relationship between the two is not clear. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to systematically review all relevant studies to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on spinal surgery outcomes. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for relevant articles published on or before January 9, 2023. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated in a random effects meta-analysis. The main outcome was the risk of adverse outcomes after spinal surgery, including adverse events and mortality. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on spinal surgery outcomes. In addition, we also conducted a subgroup analysis and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses to explore the main sources of heterogeneity and the stability of the results. Results: Twenty-four cohort studies, with a total of 243,453 participants, met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed that sarcopenia was significantly associated with adverse events (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.17–2.27, P < 0.001) but was no significantly associated with mortality (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.93–1.46, P = 0.180), infection (OR 2.24, 95% CI 0.95–5.26, P < 0.001), 30-day reoperation (OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.92–2.36, P = 0.413), deep vein thrombosis (OR 1.78, 95% CI 0.69–4.61, P = 0.234), postoperative home discharge (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.26–1.37, P = 0.002) and blood transfusion (OR 3.28, 95% CI 0.74–14.64, P = 0.015). Conclusion: The current meta-analysis showed that patients with sarcopenia have an increased risk of adverse events and mortality after spinal surgery. However, these results must be carefully interpreted because the number of studies included is small and the studies are significantly different. These findings may help to increase the clinicians' awareness of the risks concerning patients with sarcopenia to improve their prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify surgical complications associated with open surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Methods: We performed an exploratory data analysis of the clinical characteristics of surgical complications of neonates with CDH who underwent laparotomy or thoracotomy between 2006 and 2021. Data of these patients were obtained from the database of the Japanese CDH Study Group. Results: Among 1,111 neonates with left or right CDH, 852 underwent open surgery (laparotomy or thoracotomy). Of these 852 neonates, 51 had the following surgical complications: organ injury (n = 48; 6% of open surgeries); circulatory failure caused by changes in the organ location (n = 2); and skin burns (n = 1). Injured organs included the spleen (n = 30; 62% of organ injuries), liver (n = 7), lungs (n = 4), intestine (n = 4), adrenal gland (n = 2), and thoracic wall (n = 2). Fourteen of the patients who experienced organ injury required a blood transfusion (2% of open surgeries). The adjusted odds ratio of splenic injury for patients with non-direct closure of the diaphragm was 2.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.1–4.9). Conclusion: Of the patients who underwent open surgery for CDH, 2% experienced organ injury that required a blood transfusion. Non-direct closure of the diaphragmatic defect was a risk factor for splenic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of a liberal transfusion strategy as compared with a restrictive strategy on outcomes in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury is unclear. Methods: We randomly assigned adults with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury and anemia to receive transfusion of red cells according to a liberal strategy (transfusions initiated at a hemoglobin level of =10 g per deciliter) or a restrictive strategy (transfusions initiated at =7 g per deciliter). The primary outcome was an unfavorable outcome as assessed by the score on the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at 6 months, which we categorized with the use of a sliding dichotomy that was based on the prognosis of each patient at baseline. Secondary outcomes included mortality, functional independence, quality of life, and depression at 6 months. Results: A total of 742 patients underwent randomization, with 371 assigned to each group. The analysis of the primary outcome included 722 patients. The median hemoglobin level in the intensive care unit was 10.8 g per deciliter in the group assigned to the liberal strategy and 8.8 g per deciliter in the group assigned to the restrictive strategy. An unfavorable outcome occurred in 249 of 364 patients (68.4%) in the liberal-strategy group and in 263 of 358 (73.5%) in the restrictive-strategy group (adjusted absolute difference, restrictive strategy vs. liberal strategy, 5.4 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, -2.9 to 13.7). Among survivors, a liberal strategy was associated with higher scores on some but not all the scales assessing functional independence and quality of life. No association was observed between the transfusion strategy and mortality or depression. Venous thromboembolic events occurred in 8.4% of the patients in each group, and acute respiratory distress syndrome occurred in 3.3% and 0.8% of patients in the liberal-strategy and restrictive-strategy groups, respectively. Conclusions: In critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury and anemia, a liberal transfusion strategy did not reduce the risk of an unfavorable neurologic outcome at 6 months. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; HEMOTION ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03260478.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Circulatory shock, defined as decreased tissue perfusion, leading to inadequate oxygen delivery to meet cellular metabolic demands, remains a common condition with high morbidity and mortality. Rapid restitution and restoration of adequate tissue perfusion are the main treatment goals. To achieve this, current hemodynamic strategies focus on adjusting global physiological variables such as cardiac output (CO), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2). However, it remains a challenge to identify optimal targets for these global variables that best support microcirculatory function. Weighting up the risks and benefits is especially difficult for choosing the amount of oxygen supplementation in critically ill patients. This review assesses the physiological basis for oxygen delivery to the tissue and provides an overview of the relevant literature to emphasize the importance of considering risks and benefits and support decision making at the bedside. Physiological premises: Oxygen must reach the tissue to enable oxidative phosphorylation. The human body timely detects hypoxia via different mechanisms aiming to maintain adequate tissue oxygenation. In contrast to the pulmonary circulation, where the main response to hypoxia is arteriolar vasoconstriction, the regulatory mechanisms of the systemic circulation aim to optimize oxygen availability in the tissues. This is achieved by increasing the capillary density in the microcirculation and the capillary hematocrit thereby increasing the capacity of oxygen diffusion from the red blood cells to the tissue. Hyperoxia, on the other hand, is associated with oxygen radical production, promoting cell death. Current state of research: Clinical trials in critically ill patients have primarily focused on comparing macrocirculatory endpoints and outcomes based on stroke volume and oxygenation targets. Some earlier studies have indicated potential benefits of conservative oxygenation. Recent trials show contradictory results regarding mortality, organ dysfunction, and ventilatory-free days. Empirical studies comparing various targets for SaO2, or partial pressure of oxygen indicate a U-shaped curve balancing positive and negative effects of oxygen supplementation. Conclusion and future directions: To optimize risk–benefit ratio of resuscitation measures in critically ill patients with circulatory shock in addition to individual targets for CO and Hb concentration, a primary aim should be to restore tissue perfusion and avoid hyperoxia. In the future, an individualized approach with microcirculatory targets will become increasingly relevant. Further studies are needed to define optimal targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusion Preoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions increase post‐operative venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. Erythropoietin‐stimulating agents (ESAs) increase VTE risk in cancer patients; we aimed to assess ESA versus RBC‐associated VTE risks in a broad population of surgical patients.We queried TriNetX Diamond Network from 2006 to 2023, comparing patients with anaemia within 3 months preoperatively who received preoperative ESAs with or without intravenous (IV) iron to patients who received preoperative RBCs. Sub‐analyses included (1) all surgeries and (2) cardiovascular surgeries.We propensity score matched for demographics, comorbidities, medical services, post‐treatment haemoglobin (g/dL) and, for all‐surgery comparisons, surgery type. Outcomes included 30‐day post‐operative mortality, VTE, pulmonary embolism (PE), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and haemoglobin.In our 19,548‐patient cohorts, compared with preoperative RBC transfusion, ESAs without IV iron were associated with lower mortality (relative risk [RR] = 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45–0.59]), VTE (RR = 0.57 [0.50–0.65]) and PE (RR = 0.67 [0.54–0.84]). Post‐operative haemoglobin was higher in the ESA without IV iron cohort compared with the transfusion cohort (10.0 ± 1.4 vs. 9.4 ± 1.8 g/dL, p = 0.002). Cardiac surgical patients receiving ESAs with or without IV iron had lower risk for post‐operative mortality, VTE and PE (p < 0.001) than those receiving RBCs. Post‐operative haemoglobin differed between patients receiving ESAs with IV iron versus RBCs (10.1 ± 1.5 vs. 9.4 ± 1.9 g/dL, p = 0.0009).Compared with surgical patients who were transfused RBCs, ESA recipients had reduced 30‐day post‐operative risk of mortality, VTE, PE and DIC and increased haemoglobin levels. IV iron given with ESAs improved mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]