This study reports that the use of single-donor reconstituted whole blood to prime the bypass circuit and to transfuse neonates during the first 24 hours after cardiac surgery is associated with a reduction in postoperative blood loss and improved clinical outcome. However, this effect on outcome is difficult to interpret as criteria for weaning from mechanical ventilation and hospital discharge were not defined. In addition, it is difficult to determine if the beneficial effects observed are related to the age of the blood, the reduction in the number of donors, the administration of fresh platelets in the bypass prime, or a combination of these factors. Notwithstanding, it will be very difficult to implement this technique in clinical routine.
– Philippe Van der Linden