Table I. Groups comparison according to variables that could influence the blood loss or RBC transfusion rate.
| Variables | All patients (patients 1–150) | Period 1 (patients 1–75) | Period 2 (patients 76–150) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender (male) | 66.7% | 64.7% | 68.7% | NS |
| Age (years) | 52±12 | 51±12 | 52±12 | NS |
| Weight (kg) | 74±12 | 71±18 | 77±18 | NS |
| Height (cm) | 168±10 | 168±10 | 169±9 | NS |
| Starting Hb value (g/L) | 107.0±23.4 | 105.7±22.5 | 108.5±24.3 | NS |
| Starting INR value | 1.8±0.9 | 1.7±0.7 | 1.8±1.1 | NS |
| Starting platelet count (109 platelets/L) | 99±58 | 102±64 | 95±54 | NS |
| Pugh's score | 9.7±2.5 | 9.5±2.2 | 9.9±2.7 | NS |
| MELD score | 17±9 | 17±8 | 17±9 | NS |
| Starting creatinine value (µmol/L) | 101±58 | 97±56 | 106±59 | NS |
| % of use of phlebotomy | 42.0% | 45.3% | 38.7% | NS |
| % of use of cell salvage | 32.6% | 0 | 65.3%* | <0.0001 |
Values are given as mean±SD or percentage. Hb, hemoglobin; INR, international normalized ratio; MELD, model of end-stage liver disease; creatinine, serum creatinine.
*CS was used for each OLT, but there was enough blood to retransfuse in 65.3% of the cases in period 2.