Elderly patients may benefit from less blood in open heart surgery

Editorial Illustration by Dr Ciléin Kearns

An interesting study from the anaesthetic team at MRINZ has recently concluded, showing that patients over 75 years old appear to benefit from less transfusion following open heart surgery.  It also appears that all patients do just as well transfusing to less aggressive haemoglobin targets than is standard practice.

This work could lead to better use of blood stocks, reduce pressure on donors, and improve outcomes for older patients.

Listen to Dr Shay McGuinness, an intensive care doctor, is one of the lead investigators of the study speaking on Radio New Zealand here, or read the press article in the New Zealand Herald here.