Transfusions necessary, says surgeon

THE risk of death is significantly higher for young children who undergo major heart surgery without blood transfusion, according to one of Ireland’s leading heart surgeons.

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.