Clinical Outcomes of Cardiovascular Surgery in Jehovah's Witness Patients
Mukaihara, K.; Yamashita, M.; Toyohira, H.; Yotsumoto, G.; Fukumoto, Y.; Ueno, T.; Matsumoto, K.; Moriyama, Y.; Imoto, Y.
Kyobu Geka. Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery 69(3): 171-174
2016
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-5252 PMID: 27075280 Document Number: 689200
Cardiovascular surgery in Jehovah's Witness is challenging for surgeons on the ground that they refuse blood transfusion. We report 11 cases of cardiovascular surgery. All of the patients underwent elective surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Two cases underwent minimally invasive procedures. The mean preoperative hemoglobin level was 13.0 g/dl, and hematopoietic medicines were preoperatively administrated in 4 patients. Although 10 patients recovered satisfactory without blood transfusion, 1 surgical case was lost due to uncontrollable postoperative bleeding. The clinical outcomes of the Jehovah's Witness patients are considered to be satisfactory. However, careful indication is recommended in high risk cases.