Effect of West China Perioperative Transfusion Score (WCPTS) on Red Blood Cells Transfusion in Patients Undergoing Major Surgery: a Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial

Surgery and trauma are the most common reasons for major blood loss, and blood transfusion provide guarantee for massive hemorrhagic surgery, especially orthopedic, cardiac, liver, and gynecologic procedures. On the other hand, blood transfusion is associated with many risks including hemolytic and nonhemolytic reactions, transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI), and others. Besides, blood is insufficient worldwide. How to eliminate allogeneic blood transfusion is an important part in clinical practice.

Guidelines for blood transfusion have been issued for years. According to these guidelines, red blood cells (RBCs) transfusion should be given when the hemoglobin level is less than 6g/dL or 7g/dL and is unnecessary when the level is more than 10g/dL. However, in all the guidelines, the determination of whether RBCs should be administered when the hemoglobin level is in the range of 6~10g/dL is based on the judgment from anesthesiologists or surgeons. Index of transfusion trigger for patients with hemoglobin level between 6g/dL and 10g/dL is necessary and important in clinical practice.

Based on the aim of blood transfusion that maintain the balance of oxygen supply and oxygen consumption, the investigators hypothesize that index of transfusion trigger for patients with hemoglobin level between 6g/dL and 10g/dL could be calculated by parameters including infusion rate of adrenalin for maintaining normal cardiac output, fraction of inspired oxygen for maintaining spO2≧95%, core temperature, and angina.

Peri-Operative Transfusion Trigger Score, POTTS The initial score is 6. If a patient's cardiac output is normal without infusion of adrenalin, his spO2 could be maintained more than 95% with FiO2≤35%, his core temperature is less than 38℃, and he has no angina, his score is 6.

If a patient has one or more problems, including his normal cardiac output should be maintained by infusion of adrenalin with its rate ≤0.05μg/kg.min, or his spO2 is maintained more than 95% with 36~50% FiO2, or his core temperature is between 38℃ to 40℃, or chest pain due to exercise,manual labor,or excitement, his score should be added 1 point for each problem.