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Fat removal during cell salvage: an optimized program for a discontinuous autotransfusion device
Timo F Seyfried1, Michael Gruber1, Anita Breu1
1Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Transfusion
|September 3, 2015
Summary
Optimizing the cell salvage device XTRA with the Pfat program significantly enhances fat removal during blood processing. This improved fat elimination minimizes risks associated with fat embolism in surgical patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Transfusion Medicine
- Surgical Safety
Background:
- Fat in surgical wound blood poses a risk of fat embolism during blood salvage.
- Optimizing fat removal during the washing process is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of an optimized fat elimination program (Pfat) in a cell salvage device (XTRA).
- To assess the impact of improved fat removal on blood product quality and safety.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study using blood with added human tissue fat.
- Processing blood with the XTRA cell salvage device using a modified Pfat program.
- Quantifying fat removal rates, hematocrit (Hct), and red blood cell (RBC) recovery.
Main Results:
- The Pfat program achieved a fat removal rate of 98.5% ± 0.9% with a 225-mL bowl.
- High elimination rates were maintained for albumin, heparin, potassium, and free plasma hemoglobin.
- Effective fat removal was consistent across various bowl sizes and initial Hct levels.
Conclusions:
- The modified Pfat program significantly improves fat removal in the XTRA autotransfusion device.
- This optimization enhances safety by reducing fat embolism risk.
- Results are comparable to continuous cell salvage systems.
