Transfusion during surgery is associated with transient bacteremia, especially when intraoperative blood salvage is used.
Patient selection: surgical patient receiving a blood transfusion during a cardiovascular procedure
The authors found transient bacteremia in 16% of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.
Criteria:
(1) blood culture positive during or shortly after surgery
(2) blood cultures negative the next day
Risk factors for transient bacteremia:
(1) intraoperative blood salvage
(2) abdominal surgery
Differential diagnosis:
(1) break in sterile technique
(2) preoperative focus of infection or active infection
(3) contaminated blood cultures
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory
