A current concern in perioperative transfusion therapy is the balance between maintaining adequate haemoglobin level and yet avoiding unnecessary homologous blood transfusion. Strategies to minimise the perioperative use of homologous blood include redefining the
traditional transfusion trigger of “10/30 rule”, and the use of autologous transfusion therapy. Current recommendations for transfusion triggers advocate determining the “‘minimum acceptable haemoglobin 1evel”for patients according to various other physiological or surgical factors. The current status of practice amongst anaesthetists in the abovementioned transfusion strategies was assessed using a national survey. An overall response rate of 59.470 was obtained. Results showed wide variation among respondents in their criteria used for preoperative and intraoperative transfusion. Recommendations on perioperative transfusion triggers made by various authors were also summarised. Autologous transfusion therapy was also not frequently practised-the reasons for this were identified. We concluded that in order to continually improve on the anaesthetic community’s quality ofperioperative care, continued education on the subject must be carried out. Certain practical issues also need to be addressed to facilitate the use of perioperative autologous transfusion therapy.
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The author(s) declare there are no affiliations with or involvement in any organisation or entity with any financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
