Restrictive Versus Liberal Transfusion Protocol in Infants Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing a Restrictive Versus Liberal Transfusion Strategy in Neonates and Infants Undergoing Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease

In neonates and infants </= 10 kg following cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease a more restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategy will be as effective as, and possibly superior to, a liberal RBC strategy. Allowing lower hemoglobin concentration will not affect the cardiac or pulmonary status of the patient.

Inclusion Criteria:

• children </= 6 months of age with congenital cardiac disease undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Exclusion Criteria:

• presence of a known bleeding disorder or coagulopathy.
• age > 6 months,
• lack of informed consent.