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Optimizing Blood Management in Cardiovascular Surgery: Why & How

Release Date: December 21, 2007

Expiration Date: December 31, 2008

Estimated time to complete this Activity: 1 hour

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Overview

Use of blood components in cardiovascular surgery remains high. Contributing to this high rate is the underutilization of effective blood management strategies, which has led to variable transfusion practices. As more data emerge on the association between transfusion of packed red blood cells and poorer functional outcomes and quality of life in patients after cardiac surgery, there is a greater need for education about the implementation of transfusion algorithms that promote the rational use of allogeneic blood. Appropriate use of transfusion and blood products, especially when used to correct acquired coagulopathy in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, is a complex, multifactorial phenomenon that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Integral to the multidisciplinary approach is the role of the transfusion medicine or blood bank specialist because understanding the risks, benefits, and costs associated with blood products requires sophisticated knowledge of transfusion medicine. Such expertise will assist in meeting some of the challenges in blood management, such as treating acute severe anemia and defining critical limits for tissue oxygenation and tolerable limits of hemoglobin concentrations. This educational activity will review the data on the effects of transfusion on patient outcomes, the potential strategies to reduce transfusion use in cardiovascular surgery, and the role of transfusion medicine professionals in optimizing blood management in this setting.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for transfusion medicine specialists, blood bankers, laboratory technicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other health care professionals interested in education about transfusion medicine and the appropriate use of blood products.

Educational Objectives

After completing this CE activity, participants should be able to:

• Evaluate the association between transfusion use and perioperative and postoperative outcomes in patients who have undergone cardiovascular surgery
• List different components of a multimodal strategy for blood management in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery
• Describe the role of transfusion medicine professionals in optimizing blood management in cardiovascular surgery

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of The FCG Institute for Continuing Education and Acumentis. The FCG Institute for Continuing Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement

The FCG Institute for Continuing Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

How to Get Credit

To receive CME Credit, you must view the online presentations, complete the evaluation and credit request form and pass with a score of 70% or higher on the post test. Then print your certificate online. That's it-no need to wait for the certificate to be mailed to you!

Faculty Disclosure

It is the policy of the FCG Institute for Continuing Education that all faculty participating in continuing medical education activities are expected to disclose to the program audience (1) any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest related to the content of their presentation and (2) discussion of unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or medical devices. Faculty disclosure statements can be found with their biographical sketches.

The following staff members from both The FCG Institute for Continuing Education and Acumentis who have worked together with the faculty on this educational activity have no financial relationships or affiliations to disclose.

• J. Palmer, PhD
• A. Hosangadi, MS
• L. Ermentrout, BS
• J. Kelly, BS

Conflict of Interest Resolution

When individuals in a position to control or influence the development of the content have reported Financial Relationships with one or more commercial interests, The FCG Institute for Continuing Education utilizes a process to identify and resolve potential conflicts to ensure that the content presented is free of commercial bias. The content of this presentation was vetted through The Institute's process of peer review and content validation and modified as required to meet this standard.

Notice About Investigational or Off-Label Use

This educational activity may include discussion of drugs or devices or uses of drugs and devices, that have not been approved by the FDA or have been approved by the FDA for specific uses only. It is the responsibility of the physician to determine the FDA clearance status of each drug or device he or she wishes to use in clinical practice. The FCG Institute for Continuing Education is committed to the free exchange of medical education. Inclusion of any product or device discussion, including discussion of investigational or off-label uses, does not imply endorsement by The Institute of the uses, products, or techniques presented.

Disclaimer

This CME/CE activity is designed for use by healthcare professionals for educational purposes only. The information and opinions expressed by the faculty are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The FCG Institute. The FCG Institute for Continuing Education does not define a standard of care, nor does it intend to dictate an exclusive course of management but presents through the educational activities it sponsors recognized methods and techniques of clinical practice for consideration by physicians and other healthcare providers for incorporation into their practices. Participants should use their own clinical judgment before applying information, whether provided here or by others, for any professional use.

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Sponsored by: The FCG Institute for Continuing Education

The FCG Institute for Continuing Education
gratefully acknowledges an educational grant from
Novo Nordisk Inc. in support of this Web Site