RBC Transfusion in Pediatric Patients Supported With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Abstract

Patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were exposed to large RBC transfusion volumes for treatment of mild anemia resulting from blood loss, particularly phlebotomy. In the majority of events, RBC transfusion did not significantly alter global tissue oxygenation, as assessed by changes in SvO2 and cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy. Most transfusions were administered at a time at which the patient did not appear to be oxygen delivery dependent according to global measures of tissue oxygenation.