Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Transfusion of blood products is associated with a number of changes in metabolic parameters. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of transfusing packed red blood cells on arterial blood gas parameters in the patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgery.

 Materials and Methods

 In a clinical trial, each one of the 40 adult cases undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgeries received a unit of packed cell with a volume of 250 to 350 ml. The arterial samples were taken from these recipients exactly both before and after the transfusion. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant data entry and analysis were done using SPSS software version 11.5. The results were demonstrated as mean ± standard deviation. Chi square and paired sample T tests were used for data analysis.

 Results

 There was no statistically significant difference between the two samples regarding arterial values of pH, Base Excess, PaO₂, and PaCO₂ before and after transfusion of one unit of packed red cell. There was, however, a significant decline in the arterial amount of bicarbonate and Buffer Base after the transfusion.

 Conclusions

 Packed cell transfusion as much as one unit or so in those patients undergoing general anesthesia could not influence the blood gas parameters in such a notable way. However, it seems that there is no reason to administer any routine dose of intravenous bicarbonate after such a transfusion, unless indicated otherwise by arterial blood gas documentation.

 Key words : General anesthesia, Blood transfusion, ABG, Packed red blood cell