Bloodless Orthotopic Heart Transplantation in a Jehovah's Witness. (15th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dallas, Torijaun; Welsby, Ian; Bottiger, Brandi; Milano, Carmelo; Daneshmand, Mani; Guinn, Nicole
• Is Part Of: A & A case reports. Volume 4:Number 10(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-05-15
• Subjects: Anesthesiology -- Periodicals; Anesthesia -- Periodicals; Anesthesiology; Analgesia; Anesthesiology; Periodicals; 617.9605
• DOI: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000000067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2325-7237

Abstract

Abstract : We present the case of a 53-year-old female Jehovah's Witness with nonischemic cardiomyopathy who successfully underwent a bloodless heart transplantation using fibrinogen concentrate (RiaSTAP™; CSL Behring, King of Prussia, PA) and other blood-conservation methods. With a multidisciplinary team and the use of preoperative erythropoietin-stimulating drugs, normovolemic hemodilution, cell salvage, and pharmacotherapy to prevent and treat coagulopathy, we were able to maintain hemoglobin levels greater than 11 g/dL without the need for blood transfusion. We conclude that orthotopic heart transplants may be performed successfully in select Jehovah's Witness patients using standard and novel blood conservation methods.