This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effect of antegrade pump blood reinfusion using the crystalloid "chase" technique on postoperative transfusion requirements in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. At the end of cardiopulmonary bypass, blood remaining within the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit is reinfused antegradely through the arterial line using a crystalloid chase, without collection or storage. Blood remaining within the bypass circuit after surgery represents a valuable source of autologous blood, and its reinfusion may contribute to perioperative blood conservation strategies. Patients receiving antegrade pump blood reinfusion via the chase technique will be compared with those managed without reinfusion, without any intervention by the investigators. The primary outcome is postoperative blood transfusion requirement.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 18 to 80 years
* Patients undergoing elective, isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (on-pump).
Exclusion Criteria:
* Emergency or Redo cardiac surgery
* Concomitant cardiac procedures (e.g., valve repair/replacement or aortic surgery).
* Planned or intraoperative conversion to off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
* Preoperative hematocrit \<30% or known inherited/acquired bleeding disorders.
* Preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction \<30%.
* Thrombocytopenia (e.g., platelet count \<100×10³/µL) or abnormal coagulation tests.
* Use of antiplatelet agents other than aspirin without appropriate discontinuation according to current guideline-recommended preoperative intervals.
* Use of anticoagulant therapy without appropriate preoperative discontinuation according to current guideline recommendations.
* Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without appropriate discontinuation prior to surgery.
* Severe renal dysfunction (eGFR \<30 mL/min/1.73 m² or dialysis) and/or severe hepatic dysfunction (Child-Pugh B-C or coagulopathy).
* Active infection or systemic inflammatory/autoimmune disease.
* Active malignancy requiring ongoing treatment
* Refusal or inability to provide written informed consent.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Postoperative Blood Transfusion Requirement
Timeframe: From the end of surgery to 24 hours postoperatively