Summary
Background. This study discusses blood conservation techniques described in the literature for Jehovah’s Witnesses undergoing elective surgeries.
Material and methods. The analysis included studies published in English between 2004 and 2024 in the PubMed database that described blood loss prevention methods for adult Jehovah’s Witnesses. A total of 85 studies describing 100 surgeries were selected.
Results. The average age of the participants was 55 years, with cardiac surgeries being the most frequently described (32%). Preoperative measures, such as erythropoietin and iron supplements, were applied to 56% of patients, increasing hemoglobin levels by an average of 26 g/L over approximately five weeks. Intraoperatively, the cell salvage system was most used (in 70 out of 100 surgeries) along with hemodilution (in 44 out of 100), both of which were equally effective (p = 0.8167). The average blood loss during all operations was 848.4 ml, while the average amount of reinfused blood was 837.9 ml. Specifically, an average of 384.1 ml of blood was returned using the cell salvage system. Acute bleeding control was ensured with the use of cryoprecipitate, prothrombin complex, tranexamic acid, and other preparations.
Conclusions. Erythropoietin and iron supplements were the most effective in preoperative preparation, while cell salvage systems and hemodilution were the most effective intraoperative techniques. Hemorrhage control was achieved using various coagulation-promoting agents and fluid therapy.
