Abstract
Patient blood management (PBM) is a patient-centered and multidisciplinary approach to manage anemia, optimize hemostasis, minimize iatrogenic blood loss and medically harness the tolerance to anemia. This continuing medical education (CME) article focusses on the special challenges in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In particular, management of preoperative anemia, preoperative management of oral anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors, management of intraoperative and postoperative coagulopathy, avoidance of unnecessary blood loss and avoidance of unnecessary transfusion of allogeneic blood products are highlighted.
Meybohm, Patrick