[Blood transfusion in heart surgery].

We have studied the effect of blood-saving measures in open heart surgery. Such measures were introduced in 1987. All fluids administered on the day of operation and on the first postoperative day were registered in all cardiac patients operated during one month in 1986, 1987, 1988. In 1986 the patients were exposed to a median of 21 donors while in 1988 they were exposed to a median of 2 donors. The reduction in transfusions was achieved by substituting plasma by polygeline, by giving thrombocytes only when there was a low thrombocyte count and by accepting a hemoglobin value of 9 g/100 ml before transfusion of erythrocytes. In 1988 most postoperatively drained blood was retransfused using a Sorensen retransfusion set. The reduction in transfusions has reduced the cost of each open heart operation by NOK 11,662.