IJN Performs Open-Heart Surgery Without Blood Transfusion

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The National Heart Institute (IJN) recorded another success Monday when it conducted an open-heart surgery without blood transfusion on a 56-year-old retiree.
The four-hour aortic valve replacement operation on the man started at 8am. IJN had performed three similar operations before this -- the last one about 10 years ago.
Today's operation was conducted by a 10-member team led by IJN's consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Pau Kiew Kong.
The team comprised two surgeons, three anaesthetists, two perfusionists (persons who monitor the heart-lung machine), two staff nurses and one operation theatre technican.
Speaking to Bernama after the operation, Dr Pau said the patient, who suffered from aortic stenosis, had asked him to conduct the operation without blood transfusion due to certain reasons.
"He does not want any blood to be given to him. We respect his wish but he must fill up the "no blood" consent form before the surgery took place," he said, adding that such an operation would only be carried out on the patient's request.
Blood transfusion which is regarded as a safety net is always practised in major surgery. However, according to Dr Pau, heart surgery without blood transfusion was quite safe if carried out properly.
Dr Pau said prior to the surgery, certain measures would be taken such as maximising the patient's blood by using drugs.
The team must also minimise the patient's blood loss during the surgery.
The local cardiac surgeon said IJN had the expertise to carry out such an operation if requested by the patient.
"We can do cardiac surgery without blood transfusion, safely," he said.