Autologous red blood cell transfusion does not result in a more profound increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure compared to saline in critically ill patients: A randomized crossover trial

Department of Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Department of Intensive Care, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Laboratory of Experimental Intensive Care and Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Healthplus.ai-R&D B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Vox sanguinis. 2022
PICO Summary

Population

Patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery (n= 16).

Intervention

Autologous red blood cells (RBCs) transfusion, with a subsequent infusion of saline (RBCs: Saline, n= 8).

Comparison

Saline infusion with a subsequent transfusion of RBCs (Saline: RBCs, n= 8).

Outcome

The primary outcome was the difference in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) before and after transfusion (ΔPCWP). Secondary outcome measures were the difference in extra-vascular lung water index (EVLWI) and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI). Change in PCWP was not higher after autologous RBCs transfusion compared to saline (ΔPCWP 0.3 ± 0.4 vs. 0.1 ± 0.4 mmHg). ΔEVLWI and ΔPVPI were significantly decreased after autologous RBCs transfusion compared to saline (ΔEVLWI -1.6 ± 0.6 vs. 0.2 ± 0.4; ΔPVPI -0.3 ± 0.1 vs. 0.0 ± 0.1). Haemodynamic variables and colloid osmotic pressure were not different for autologous RBCs transfusion versus saline.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) is a major cause of severe transfusion-related morbidity. Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) has been shown to induce hydrostatic pressure overload. It is unclear which product-specific factors contribute. We set out to determine the effect of autologous RBC transfusion versus saline on pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) change. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a randomized crossover trial, patients who had undergone coronary bypass surgery were allocated to treatment post-operatively in the intensive care unit with either an initial 300 ml autologous RBC transfusion (salvaged during surgery) or 300 ml saline infusion first, followed by the other. Primary outcome was the difference in PCWP change. Secondary outcome measures were the difference in extra-vascular lung water index (EVLWI) and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI). RESULTS Change in PCWP was not higher after autologous RBC transfusion compared to saline (ΔPCWP 0.3 ± 0.4 vs. 0.1 ± 0.4 mmHg). ΔEVLWI and ΔPVPI were significantly decreased after autologous RBC transfusion compared to saline (ΔEVLWI -1.6 ± 0.6 vs. 0.2 ± 0.4, p = 0.02; ΔPVPI -0.3 ± 0.1 vs. 0.0 ± 0.1, p = 0.01). Haemodynamic variables and colloid osmotic pressure were not different for autologous RBC transfusion versus saline. CONCLUSION Transfusion of autologous RBCs did not result in a more profound increase in PCWP compared to saline. RBC transfusion resulted in a decrease of EVLWI and PVPI compared to saline. Our data suggest that transfusing autologous RBCs may lead to less pulmonary oedema compared to saline. Future studies with allogeneic RBCs are needed to investigate other factors that may mediate the increase of PCWP, resulting in TACO.
Study details
Language : eng
Credits : Bibliographic data from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine