Researchers studied the outcomes of intraoperative transfusion for patients undergoing operations between Jan. 1, 2005, to Dec. 31, 2009. They found patients who received intraoperative infusion of one unit of packed red blood cells had a higher risk of mortality, wound problems, pulmonary complications, postoperative renal dysfunction, systemic sepsis, composite morbidity and postoperative length of stay compared with patients who did not receive intraoperative transfusion.
The authors recommended caution when intraoperative transfusions are used for mildly hypovolemic or anemic patients.
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