by Twitch 8 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
My father had an angioplasty this morning and was admitted immediately for coronary artery bypass surgery due to major blockages found.
How likely or necessary is a blood transfusion for this?
What's the latest policy on blood?
I realize there's likely a thread or two dedicated to the subject but I'm looking for the short answer from those in the know, at least on the latter.
I only found out this morning and am heading to the hospital now. I'll know more soon from that end.
He can get hemoglobin. it is the part of blood that transports oxygen. It is, basically, the insides of a red blood cell. It is under the names Biopure and Hemopure. His doctors have to contact those companies and they might let the medicine go out under compassionat use as these are not FDA approved.
He can have all "fractions" of blood. Fractions are a WTS defined term that medical doctors do not know. If added together, all the fractions would equal a whole unit of blood from which they were derived. Fractions include hemoglobin, cryopreciptate, cryosupernatate, clotting factors, albumin, Factor VII, etc., etc., etc. . . . . basically, if it is blood derived, it can be had.
Are you sure they can have 'all' fractions?
Blood transfusions are seldom used anymore in bypass surgery. Doctors like to have it available, but if he's an active JW, they won't press the issue too far. I've had several family members have multiple bypasses done, and none have had doctors balk at the idea of not using blood.
Thanks for the info
Actually he had an angiogram to examine what they suspected already, with the likelihood of an angioplasty (stents). Due to a very high percentage of blockage, they decided to forego this and opt for a specialist opinion on the multiple bypass option. Was supposed to know tonight but will tomorrow. A crash course in cardiology
My parents said that blood isn't absolutely necessary for this surgery (nice to hear a corollary on that here) and that there are alternatives available, for a slight fee of course. I reviewed a brochure in the room on the subject that listed options and thought it was typical government issue FAQ until I read the WTBTS info on the back. Very slick. I reserve my rather uneducated opinion on the situation until I hear from sawbones hisself. Tomorrow.
'tis a strange feeling...
PS the CO and his wife dropped by the hospital for a brief visit while I was there. Seemed like nice people but my spidey sense was tingling.
I hope all goes well.
During the surgery they normally keep the patients own blood in circulation through the form of a cell saver.
The problem is after the surgery when the patient comes off bypass. I have recovered many patients immediately after coming off bypass and they (99%) all require either FFP or platelets and cryo etc. This is bec the bypass machine pumps the blood through the machine to oxygenate it and rollers in the machine chew up and destroy all the clotting factors platelets etc in the blood. So when the patient comes off bypass they are very leaky. So they need all these components reintroduced or they will bleed. Some patients do bleed bec they are leaky and need blood as well as the clotting components till they can establish homeostasis (stability in the patient).
lp
My partner had to have quadruple bypass surgery in November. Apparently they lowered the temperature of the operating room to slow his heart rate and gave him blood volumne expanders before putting him on a heart-lung machine. Afterward, he looked very -- and I mean VERY -- puffy and bloated in the ICU, but the doctor told us he lost very little blood. During the next couple of days in recovery, they began draining off the excess fluid (expanders) until he regained his normal appearance. We were told that the surgeon tries to avoid giving blood because it tends to slow the recovery process. My partner was 45 at the time and has recovered very nicely. He's basically back to his normal routine now, but trying to eat better and excercise more because of his family's predisposition toward clogged arteries. I wish you well.
Your dad can ask for them to use the cell saver machine.
Unless his hemoglobin is dangerously low (like below 70 g/L) there's very little chance that a blood transfusion would even be an issue.
Despite what JWs claim, doctors are a lot more judicious in their use of blood transfusion than they used to be - it costs a LOT to process each donated unit of blood, and hospitals in Canada are far more cognizant of their bottom line than ever before. So if something isn't really really needed or there is a less expensive substitute that will serve equally well, they will go with that.
