Frequency of Hepatitis B after Open Heart Surgery: A Retrospective Study over a Three-Year Period (1974—1976)

Abstract

In spite of intensive efforts to reduce the risk of hepatitis B after heart operations, this complication is observed in 40 % or more of the cases. Over a period of three years (1974-1976) we examined 588 patients who had undergone open heart surgery. The following results were found: In 1974 the hepatitis frequency was 2.0 %, while in 1975 and 1976 it was 0.6 % hepatitis B and 0.6 % non-B hepatitis. We believe the reason for this improvement is a more careful selection of blood donors and their continuous control according to the following parameters: regular clinical observation; regular chest x-ray; determination of BSR, hemoglobin and aminotransferases; TPHA test; and search for antibodies. In 1974 hepatitis-B-surface-antigen (HBsAg) was detected by means of reverse hemagglutination tests. Since 1975 a modified radioimmunoassay has been used for this purpose. No donor blood with abnormal results was transfused, except for a very small number of extreme emergencies. The good results demonstrated can only be obtained by following the described program and by strictly avoiding pool preparations.

Local Hemostasis with Fibrin Glue after Intracardiac Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot and Transposition of the Great Arteries

“…A decreased blood loss of the whole group thro ugh a better local hemostasis increases the difference from the individual patient with surgical bleeding. In all cases of application of blood, or blood and plasma components, the risk of hepatitis must be discussed (5,16,17). No case of hepatitis was found in those patients with TGA and ToF using fibrin glue for local hemostasis.…”