Cell saving systems do not reduce the need of transfusion in low-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Cell saving systems have been widely used to reduce blood loss and need of transfusions. These device are mainly indicated in complex cardiac surgery procedures and in those patients with a high risk of bleeding. However, it is not clear if there is a benefit of a cell saver (CS) system in low-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Our aim was to analyze if the use of CS systems reduce the need of blood products in low-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Between February and June 2009 all low-risk patients (EuroSCORE 2 mg/ml, anemic patients and patients with a body surface area (BSA) 13.3 g/dl [relative risk (RR): 0.29; confidence interval (CI): 0.09-0.99] and BSA>1.74 (RR: 0.19; CI: 0.54-0.68) were protective against blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In low-risk patients CS system did not reduce the need of blood transfusion. Clinical outcomes were similar regardless of the use of a cell saver system. A low preoperative hemoglobin level and a low BSA were related with the use of blood products.