Transfusions necessary, says surgeon
Freddie Wood, consultant cardiologist at the Mater Hospital and Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, said it was not true to suggest that there were alternatives to using blood transfusions for all types of surgery.
In particular, he said the availability of blood transfusions during open heart surgery on young children was vital.
“The risk of death is two to three times higher without having the option of a blood transfusion,” said Mr Wood.
He estimated the risk of death in such circumstances as “between 60% and 70%”.
Mr Wood said blood transfusions were particularly necessary for small children as a result of their body size and the consequent small volume of blood.
In contrast, blood transfusions are required, on average, for only one in every three patients in similar surgery on adults.
Mr Wood acknowledged that most routine orthodox types of surgery were currently performed without the need for blood products.
“All medical practitioners are becoming fastidious in minimising the use of blood,” said Mr Wood.
He explained that public awareness of several recent scandals whereby people have been infected with potentially fatal diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV through contaminated blood products was an important factor.
More stringent conditions on the suitability of donors had made supplies of blood more problematic, which encouraged doctors to use bloodless surgery as much as possible, Mr Wood noted.
“Ten years ago, the average cardiac patient would have received four units of blood. Today the average is 1.6 units,” said the surgeon.
Mr Wood said it was becoming standard practice among doctors and hospitals to seek court protection in cases where they believe the health of a child is being placed at risk if they comply with the wishes of parents in relation to treatment options.
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