Intraoperative Moderate Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution Associated with a Comprehensive Blood-Sparing Protocol in Off-Pump Coronary Surgery

Abstract

We studied the blood-sparing effects of moderate acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) in 100 patients undergoing off-pump coronary surgery (OPCAB). Combined with tranexamic acid administration and shed blood reinfusion when the intraoperative bleeding exceeded 250 mL, ANH was effective in reducing the number of OPCAB patients who required allogeneic transfusions and the number of packed red blood cell units transfused.