Blood Transfusion Indications in Neurosurgical Patients: A Systematic Review

Neurosurgical procedures can be complicated by significant blood losses requiring red blood cell transfusions (RBCTs). However, the precise level or extent of anemia that is clinically relevant is unclear, as the effect of low tissue perfusion and oxygenation is likely tissue dependent and can vary between patients [1]. Decreased tissue perfusion becomes particularly important in neurosurgical patients due to the possibility of secondary cerebral injury. Still, controversy exists regarding thresholds for transfusion and what types of transfusions are most meaningful in these patients.

Source: Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery - February 17, 2017 Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Shefali Bagwe, Lawrance K. Chung, Carlito Lagman, Brittany L. Voth, Natalie E. Barnette, Lekaa Elhajjmoussa, Isaac Yang Source Type: research