Use of Cell Salvage Post-operatively in Infants to Decrease Use of Allogeneic Blood Product Transfusions

Post-operative Infusion of Intra-operative Cell Salvage Reduces Allogeneic Blood Product Transfusions and Volume Resuscitation in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Improves Clinical Outcomes

Transfusion of washed intra-operative cell salvage post-operatively in the PCICU can be performed safely without increased risk of bleeding or release of inflammatory mediators. This will reduce the need for allogeneic blood products as well as crystalloid and colloid infusions and thus decrease the length of ventilation and intensive care duration for these infants.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1. Weight < or = 20Kg;
• 2. Cardiac surgery with CPB at URMC;
• 3. informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1. weight > 21 Kg;
• inability to obtain consent;
• non-English speaking