[Blood replacement in elective surgery: results of the Sanguis Study]

The aim of the Sanguis study, a project sponsored by the European Community, is to assess the use of blood and blood components including the use of programs for autologous blood transfusion in 43 hospitals in 10 European countries. The study was inaugurated by Prof. G. Sirchia, Milan, who formed a study group of experts from 10 countries. The study group defined the study design, identified the centers, and followed the progress of the project. From October 1990 until September 1991 data were collected in the 43 hospitals from patients undergoing one of six elective surgical procedures. The results obtained from interim analysis (70% of expected data) of patients with total hip replacement revealed differences in the frequency of homologous blood transfusion between hospitals and also regional differences between different countries. There was great variation in the use of alternative programs for reduction or even avoidance of homologous blood transfusion between hospitals. For total hip replacement, the calculated probability to receive homologous blood varied between 0 and 100% in different hospitals. This observational study will provide a data base concerning the transfusion practice in 6 elective surgical procedures in 10 European countries. According to the findings of this study, recommendations for improving the transfusion practice shall be elaborated and indications for alternative programs identified. In a subsequent study (Sanguis 2), these recommendations are to be validated.