Quality Alternatives for Transfusion- Conclusion of HOW CAN DOCTORS HELP?

Patients on a heart-lung machine primed with non-blood fluid may benefit from the resulting hemodilution, few red cells being lost.

And there are other ways to help. Cooling a patient to lesson oxygen needs during surgery. Hypotensive anesthesia. Therapy to improve coagulation.  Desmopressin (DDAVP) to shorten bleeding time.  Laser "scalpels." You will see the list grow as physicians and concerned patients seek to avoid blood transfusions. We hope that you never lose a great amount of blood. But if you did, it is very likely that skilled doctors could manage your care without using blood transfusions, which have so  many risks. 

Next time: Quality Alternatives to Transfusion - SURGERY, YES-BUT WITHOUT TRANSFUSIONS

From the jw.org publications