Co-morbidities were present
in 418 patients; hypertension was the most common
(78.5%). The mean basal haemoglobin concentration
was 13.9±1.3 g/dL and was higher in males. A total
of 182 patients participated in the PABD programme.
Co-morbidities, most often hypertension, were present in 93 of these patients. Allogeneic units of blood were
reserved for 374 patients: one unit was reserved for 353
patients and more than one unit (2 to 4) was reserved for
21 patients. The mean basal haemoglobin concentration
in this latter group was 12.1±1.6 g/dL, which was
significantly lower than that in the overall sample
(P <0.001). These patients were all transfused after
surgery and were, therefore, excluded from further
analysis, since their need for transfusion appeared
obvious. No units of blood (either allogeneic or
autologous) were reserved for 44 patients. These
patients' mean basal haemoglobin concentration
(14.1±1.7 g/dL) was similar to that of the overall
series. This category was mixed: some had no units
of blood reserved because of the low risk of requiring
transfusion, others because of blood supply shortage or
PABD was not applicable or because religious beliefs
(Jehovah's Witness) precluded blood transfusion.
Given this marked variability, this category was
excluded from further analysis. Patients with a basal
haemoglobin concentration <12.5 g/dL (n =68) and
ASA III patients (n =13) were deemed not suitable for
PABD and so were also excluded from further analysis.
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