Transfusion of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass

Although certain hematologic changes that occur as a consequence of cardiopulmonary bypass are unique, their influence on the transfusion requirements of open-heart surgical patients is not different from that on other bleeding patients. While knowledge of the peculiarities of open-heart surgery is important for the blood bank medical director, this clinical situation can be managed using the basic principles of component therapy as they apply to other clinical situations.