Blood

[Marge]

Got my lab orders for the pre-op on Feb. 10th. One is a transfusion requisition: four red blood cells. For whatever reason, I had never thought of transfusions for this surgery. My last surgery, I needed a lot of blood ... more than four units, iirc. Is there an average for valve repair/replacement surgery, I was wondering.

This lab requisition brought the whole thing home to me in a rather graphic way ... hey, they are REALLY going to cut into MY HEART. BLOOD will flow!!! It has been kind of abstract up to now.

btw, my surgeon's e-mail is "heartcutr," which is pretty graphic!

 

[Ross]

I really don't know. They recycled mine and gave it back to me during the operations. Anyone else?

 

[Turkey Hunter]

I did not have any need for a transfusion following my surgery.
They were able to give me my own back out of the heart-lung machine.

Ben

 

[Les]

I had five units transfused over a two day period following my first AVR. None the second time around.

 

[fisher6476]

I think what I signed was a consent for blood "if I needed it"l. I don't believe I needed any.

 

[Creed3]

I believe they recycled my own blood. I remember being awake in the ICU and needed to receive blood because my bp was so low. The first unit they gave me was my own recycled blood. Later I needed to have a second unit. That unit of blood was someone elses.

Gail

 

[EVELYN]

Tyce's blood was recycled, but we did have friends donate who matched Tyce's B+ under directed donations with the Blood Services. That had to be done a week prior to surgery, though. He didn't need any so they used it for someone else.

Evelyn

 

[Nancy]

Joe needed two units after his last surgery, if I remember correctly, not sure about the others. His blood is difficult due to some factor issues, so he has blood sent from far away. There is a universal donor with similar factors at that other location. That person has been used several times for Joe's various blood needs.

Already being on Coumadin automatically eliminates him from donating his own blood ahead of time.

 

[Heather Fisher]

They had me typed, etc. for a transfusion if needed. I didn't need one at all. My hospital bill I was still charged for blood. I gues once it is thawed and set aside for you just in case, you've bought it whether you need it or not.

Heather

 

[labguides]

blood

blood

Our daughter donated 2 units of blood for herself, I donated 2 and our son donated 1. Three units of blood, 1 of plasma and 1 of platelets were used.

 

[Lisa]

Years ago, all of our family donated blood for my brother's 4h surgery. He ended up needing it. I hope you won't. Best of luck.

Lisa

 

[ALCapshaw2]

When I inquired about donating my own blood and that of a friend, we were discouraged from even considering it. We were told the blood supply is much safer today than in years past.

After surgery, I was borderline anemic but not enough to *require* transfusion and none was given.

Talk with your surgeon and take if from there is all I can say...

'AL'

 

[George DiMundo]

That's a good question, Marge. I don't think I was given any blood and have assumed that they would have told me if that had happened. I will ask my doctor at my next appointment.

 

[labguides]

blood

blood

Info on the amount of blood used in our daughter's surgery was not in the surgery report. The nurse had to call the blood bank to get the info for us.

 

[Harpoon]

It varies mostly on how much effort they have to put in to fix you up and what happens while they're doing it. There will always be a little blood loss, but sometimes not even enough to need a transfusion, other times they can't put enough blood back into you. I was such a difficult patient in the classroom.....


I don't recall how many transfusions I had, I think it was around 8 or 10. It was a lot. I happen to be a rare bloodtype and my wife just happens to be a match so she gave up her quota for the year for me.

It really just depends on how smooth everything goes while you're in the hospital. I think most cases go quietly enough that the transfusions are minimal, if at all and the blood is take mainly "just in case."

By the way, I've been advised by my cardiologist never to give blood, even if it's for myself, too much stress on the heart. This was well before I got my artificial valve.

I gather that can be pretty standard for people with heart desease.

 

[Kathy]

Marge-

I did not have a transfusion at the time of surgery, I understand the blood was recycled. I was anemic about a week after surgery and needed a transfusion.

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

Don't Give Blood

Don't Give Blood

So, Harpoon, does that mean that once a person has valve replacement surgery, they can no longer be a blood donor?

 

[medtronic of borg]

CBC

CBC

In my 2nd ohs I had four units and with my 17th ohs I had one unit.
Med

 

[Harpoon]

Peggy>>Ask your docs first...

I think it varies depending on your condition.

My cardiologist said "absolutely not" when I brought it up as a senior in high school. The school was doing a blood drive and if you were 18 and over, you could participate. I wanted to, but asked my doc about it first and he said the blood loss would put unneccesary stress on my heart and not to bother with it.


There may be problems if you have a heart valve and are on coumadin therapy or other drugs. It might be OK to just give back to yourself, but I think being on prescription medications rules you out as a blood donor anyways, regardless of what the meds are for. I'm not sure, I assume it probably wouldn't be prudent to have a blood transfusion from someone who was taking heavy narcotics for pain or anti-depressants, or birth control pills...

Dunno.

Ask your doc, see what he/she says. Would be curious to know.

You might aslo call your local Red Cross branch and ask them, they collect the blood, they would know.


Again, if you're donating for yourself, the rules might be more flexible, but it would still be worth checking into for sure.

Last thing you want to do is lay down on the table and give blood then find out it wasn't such a good idea after all.... =)

 

[George DiMundo]

I checked with my surgeon's office today and my file does not indicate that I was given any blood or blood products during the surgery. I also called my local blood bank where I am a regular donor the person I spoke said they would need a release from my doctor saying I was cleared to donate. Of course, they are concerned about medications I am taking, and whether or not I have received blood or blood products--all questions that are normally asked with any blood donation. Although she did not know for sure, she said she thought I would have to wait 6 months after the surgery. I am not on blood thinners but I got the impression that if I were I would not be able to donate.

Incidentally, my internist has told me that studies indicate that men (as I recall it is not the same for women) who regularly donate blood have a slightly reduced risk for heart attack. My foggy recollection is that there is no known reason why this is. I will see him on Thursday to see whether or not blood donations are still going to be a part of my life.