Drug, Devices, Technologies, and Techniques for Blood Management in Minimally Invasive and Conventional Cardiothoracic Surgery a Consensus Statement from the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) 2011

BIOCOMPATIBLE CPB CIRCUITS: The routine use of biocompatible coated CPB circuitry may be considered as part of a multimodal blood conservation program. However, the heterogeneity of surface-modified products, anticoagulation management, and CPB technique does not significantly impact surgical blood loss and transfusion needs (Class IIb,Level A). RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MINIATURIZED EXTRACORPOREAL CARDIOPULMONARY CIRCUIT VERSUS CONVENTIONAL EXTRACORPOREAL CARDIOPULMONARY CIRCUIT: Miniaturized extracorporeal cardiopulmonary circuit can be considered as a blood conservation technique to reduce allogeneic blood exposure (Class IIa, Level A); however, issues related to heparinization management and biocompatible coatings remain to be clarified. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ULTRAFILTRATION (CONTINUOUS OR MODIFIED):h Ultrafiltration may be considered for blood conservation (Class IIb, Level A); however, the impact on clinically relevant outcomes remains unknown. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PLATELET PLASMAPHERESIS:It is reasonable to recommend platelet plasmapheresis for blood management in cardiac surgery (Class IIa, Level A), although the impact on clinically relevant outcomes remains unknown. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POINT-OF-CARE MONITORING:The evidence is too premature to recommend point-of-caretechnology for routine use because its use has not been shown to impact clinical outcome (Class IIb, Level A). RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SURGICAL TECHNIQUES FOR OPCAB, MINIMALLY INVASIVE STERNOTOMY FOR AORTIC VALVE SURGERY, MINIMALLY INVASIVE STERNOTOMY FOR MITRAL VALVE SURGERY, AND TRANSCATHETHER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATION: Although these minimally invasive procedures are not primarily selected for the purpose of blood management, the reduced allogeneic blood exposure should be considered in the balance of benefits and risks when selecting the appropriate surgery for patients.