Impact of Fluid Restriction Policy in Reducing the Use of Red Cells in Cardiac Surgery

192 patients operated under equal conditions were assigned prospectively and randomly either for a restrictive protocol for intravenous fluid administration (group A, 100 patients) or not (group B, 92 patients). Transfusion guidelines were common for the two groups. The volumes of intravenous fluids, priming, "extra" volume on pump and cardioplegic solution and the volume of urine were recorded. Net erythrocyte volume loss was calculated. The number of the transfused PRC was analyzed as a continuous variable. "Transfusion" was analyzed as a categorical characteristic. Analysis employed Student's two-tailed t-test, t-paired test and chitest.