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Ann Thorac Surg. 2004 Aug;78(2):695-7. Related Articles, Links


Jehovah's witnesses requiring complex urgent cardiothoracic surgery.

Holt RL, Martin TD, Hess PJ, Beaver TM, Klodell CT.

Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine Health Science Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Blood-sparing surgical technique and perioperative medical management allows complex surgery in Jehovah's Witnesses. The authors review four cases of urgent cardiothoracic surgery performed on Jehovah's Witnesses. No lasting sequelae associated with either bleeding or end-organ ischemia were noted. Cardiopulmonary bypass management, meticulous hemostatic operative technique, and pharmacologic support of hemostasis and erythropoiesis permit this complex surgery