ABSTRACT:
OBJECTIVE To prospectively compare the clinical and laboratorial aspects of patients
undergoing spine deformity surgery, using the acute normovolemic
hemodilution technique with tranexamic acid, versus a control group with
tranexamic acid alone, and to evaluate the influence of hemodilution in
intraoperative bleeding and the need for homologous transfusion.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Comparative prospective study with patients aged between 12 and 65 years
undergoing spine deformity surgery with the acute normovolemic hemodilution
technique associated with tranexamic acid versus a control group to which
only tranexamic acid (15 mg/kg) was administered. Laboratorial exams were
performed and analyzed in three different moments.
RESULTS A total of 30 patients were included in the present study: 17 in the
hemodilution group, and 13 in the control group. The mean duration of the
surgery in the hemodilution group was longer. The number of levels submitted
to surgery ranged from 7 to 16 in the hemodilution group, and from 4 to 13
in the control group. Osteotomy, predominantly of the posterior kind, was
performed in 20 patients. There was more intraoperative bleeding in the
control group. All patients were stable during the procedures. Only 6
participants needed homologous blood transfusion, mostly from the control
group (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the need
for blood transfusion and intraoperative bleeding. The severity of the
deformity was the main determinant for homologous blood transfusion.
Keywords: hemodilution/methods; bleeding; autologous blood transfusion; spine; scoliosis.
RESUMO:
OBJETIVO Comparar de modo prospectivo os parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais dos
pacientes submetidos a hemodiluição normovolêmica aguda associada ao ácido
tranexâmico com um grupo de controle que recebeu apenas ácido tranexâmico,
durante cirurgia de correção de deformidades da coluna, e avaliar a
influência da técnica de hemodiluição no sangramento perioperatório e a
necessidade de transfusão de sangue homólogo.
MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS Estudo prospectivo comparativo, com pacientes entre 12 e 65 anos submetidos a
cirurgia para correção de deformidades da coluna vertebral, com a técnica de
hemodiluição normovolêmica aguda associada ao ácido tranexâmico, versus
grupo de controle com ácido tranexâmico isolado na dose de 15 mg/kg. Exames
laboratoriais foram feitos e analisados em três momentos de avaliação
diferentes.
RESULTADOS Participaram deste estudo 30 pacientes: 17 no grupo de hemodiluição e 13 no
grupo de controle. O tempo médio de cirurgia foi maior para o grupo de
hemodiluição. O número de níveis operados variou entre 7 e 16 no grupo de
hemodiluição, e entre 4 e 13 no grupo de controle. Fez-se osteotomia,
predominantemente posterior, em 20 pacientes. O valor médio de sangramento
intraoperatório foi maior no grupo de controle. Os parâmetros clínicos se
mantiveram estáveis durante todos os procedimentos. Apenas 6 pacientes
necessitaram de transfusão sanguínea homóloga, a maioria dos quais pertencia
ao grupo de controle (p > 0,05).
CONCLUSÃO Não houve diferença significativa entre os dois grupos quanto à necessidade
de transfusão e sangramento intraoperatório. A gravidade da deformidade foi
o principal fator determinante da transfusão.
Palavras-chave: hemodiluição/métodos; sangramento; transfusão de sangue autóloga; coluna vertebral; escoliose.
FIGURES
| Citation: Batista MFS, Costa CO, Vialle EN, Guasque JBRC, Fiorentin JZ, Souza CS. Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution in Spinal Deformity Surgery*. 54(5):516. doi:10.1016/j.rbo.2018.02.004 |
| Note: * Originally Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. |
| Received: December 10 2017; Accepted: February 21 2018 |
INTRODUCTION
Major surgeries, such as corrections of spinal deformities, can lead to increased bleeding. In order to control hemostasis, antifibrinolytic agents may be used, as well as intravenous volemic replacement with acellular solutions or with homologous or autologous blood derivatives.1
The homologous transfusion exposes the patient to the risk of pulmonary, allergic, hemolytic, immuno-allergic reactions and acquisition of infectious-contagious diseases.2 Autologous transfusion can be obtained with a low operational cost by previous donations, reutilization of the perioperative blood or acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH), with which complications are avoided.3
The ANH technique consists of blood withdrawal immediately before or after anesthetic induction,3 followed by dilution with colloids and/or crystalloids without reducing the circulating volume.4 Its use has been indicated for surgeries with increased risk of bleeding.5
The objective of the present study was to prospectively compare the clinical and laboratory parameters of patients submitted to ANH associated with tranexamic acid with a control group using tranexamic acid alone, during corrective surgery of spinal deformities, in order to evaluate the influence of this technique in bleeding, the necessity of homologous transfusion and to identify adverse reactions and complications.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of our institution through “Plataforma Brasil” with the number of the Certificate of Presentation for Ethical Appreciation (CAAE- 47883615.0.0000.0020).
A total of 30 patients undergoing elective surgery to correct deformities in the spine were included. They were aged between 12 and 65 years, and were divided according to the classification of the American Society of Anestesiology (ASA) as ASA I, II or III, without contraindications to the proposed anesthetic/surgical technique. The exclusion criteria were increased risk of coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and valvulopathy, and patients with acute renal failure, bronchopneumonia and coagulopathies.
The patients were divided randomly between the ANH and control groups. All patients underwent total venous general anesthesia with remifentanil (0.1-0.3 mcg/kg/min), propofol (100-200 mcg/kg/min) and cisatracurium (attack: 0.15 mg/kg; maintenance: 03 mg/kg) when the potential evoked was not monitored. After anesthetic induction, every patient received 15 mg/kg of tranexamic acid and 0.1 mg/kg of morphine. The use of adjuvant drugs, as it did not interfere in the results, was left at the discretion of the anesthesiologist. The heart rate, neuromuscular blockade (train of four), pulse oximetry, cardioscopy, ST segment variation, invasive blood pressure and probe diuresis were monitored.
Laboratory tests (hemoglobin [Hb], hematocrit [Ht], prothrombin activation time [PAT], activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT], sodium, potassium, magnesium, ionic calcium, arterial blood gas, and lactate) were performed shortly after the anesthetic induction, after the blood collection for ANH, in the immediate postoperative period, and 24 hours later.
The ANH was performed in 17 patients, based on the Gross formula (Fig. 1), with collection between 80% and 100% of the volume to be withdrawn via peripheral artery or vein (maximum of 500 mL per bag collected).4,5 In case of hemodynamic instability, the ANH would be suspended. The bags were identified according to the order of collection, stored in a thermal box, and reinfused in the reverse order of collection. The hemodilution was performed in a 3:1 ratio with 0.9% saline solution and Ringer lactate. The additional volemic replacement was calculated to cover preoperative fasting, surgical loading (6 mL/kg/h)4,5 while the volume loss in the perioperative (3:1 ratio), was answer only if the urinary output < 0.5–1.0 mL/kg/h, and/or in case of hemodynamic instability.

As for the surgical technique, the decision between pedicle instrumentation or association with osteotomies (of posterior elements, pedicle subtraction, or vertebral body resection [VCR]) was determined according to the deformity.
Homologous blood transfusion was performed only if the levels of Hb were < 7 mg/dL (or 9 mg/dL in the case of elderly patients or low cardiovascular reserve), with hemodynamic changes or persistence of bleeding.
The data were tabulated using the Microsoft Excel 2016 (Microsoft Corp., Redmond WA, US) software. For the comparison of the quantitative variables, the Student t-test or the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test were used. For the categorical variables, the Fisher exact test was used. The normality condition of the variables was evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Values of p < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. The data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US), version 20. The quantitative variables were described by means, medians, minimums, maximums and standard deviations. The qualitative variables were described by frequencies and percentages. After this analysis, a comparison was made with data from the literature.
RESULTS
The sample consisted of 30 patients aged between 12 and 61 years (mean of 27.1 for the ANH group and of 21.2 for the control group; p > 0.05), predominantly female (76.6%). The main etiologies were adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and congenital scoliosis (CS), as shown in Figure 2. Most patients denied comorbidities (76.6%). A mean of 622.6 mL of blood was withdrawn for hemodilution (400-940 mL). The clinical parameters remained stable during all of the procedures. The mean time of surgery for the ANH group was of 5.2 h, whereas for the control group it was of 4.4 h (p > 0.05). The number of levels operated ranged from 7 to 16 (mean: 10.7) for the ANH group, and from 4 to 13 for the control group (mean: 9.58). As for the number of instrumented levels, it ranged from 6 14 (mean 9.82) for the ANH group, and from 4 to 13 for the control group (mean: 9.66).

Twenty patients underwent osteotomy, as described in Table 1. For the purpose of analysis, each type of osteotomy was graded by magnitude: 0 for none; 1 point for each posterior osteotomy; 2 points for pedicle subtraction, and 3 points for each RCV, then they were divided between groups with scores ≤ 2 or > 3. In the isolated comparison between the groups, there was a greater mean of bleeding in the control group, but with greater variation, as evidenced in Figure 3. There was greater bleeding in both groups when the osteotomy was performed, with no statistical significance.
| n | Mean bleeding in mL | p-valuea | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No OTT | 5 | ANH | 450 | 0.161 |
| 5 | Control | 737.75 | ||
| OTT Weight ≤ 2 | 6 | ANH | 816.6 | 0.412 |
| 3 | Control | 633.3 | ||
| OTT Weight > 3 | 6 | ANH | 591 | 0.175 |
| 5 | Control | 880a | ||
| OTT Total | 12 | ANH | 704.16 | 0.339 |
| 8 | Control | 772.2 |
Abbreviations: ANH, acute normovolemic hemodilution; OTT, osteotomy.
Note:
a One patient in the group underwent 3 vertebral body resection osteotomies and presented high bleeding.

Regarding the number of operated levels, it was divided between groups with a limit higher or lower than 10. More bleeding occurred in the control group, with more levels (594 × 920 mL; p = 0.095), whereas in the case of less levels, the bleeding was lower and similar between both groups, which suggests that ANH would be effective in reducing bleeding in larger surgeries. The density of the implant (number of screws per level operated) was calculated, with 1 standing for the instrumentation of all operated pedicles, and 0 representing a surgery without instrumentation (Table 2). In the control group, the patients who were submitted to posterior osteotomy, had an increased need of transfusion (p > 0.05). The analysis of the ANH group showed that most of the patients did not require transfusion even after undergoing osteotomy (p > 0.05) (Table 3). The patients who were transfused had a higher mean of operated levels, especially in the control group (p > 0.05) (Table 4).
| n | Mean | Median | Minimum | Maximum | Standard deviation | p-valuea | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density of the implant | ANH | 17 | 0.815 | 0.792 | 0.625 | 1 | 0.141 | 0.146 |
| Control | 13 | 0.739 | 0.722 | 0.545 | 1 | 0.131 |

| Transfusion | Osteotomies - ANH | Osteotomies - Control | Posterior OTT - Control | Posterior OTT - ANH | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | At least one | None | At least one | None | At least one | None | At least one | |
| No | 5 (100%) | 10 (83.3%) | 5 (100%) | 4 (50%) | 7 (100%) | 2 (33.3%) | 7 (87.5%) | 8 (88.9%) |
| Yes | 0 | 2 (16.7%) | 0 | 4 (50%) | 0 | 4 (66.7%) | 1 (12.5%) | 1 (11.1%) |
| Total | 5 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 |
| p-value | 1 | 0.105 | 0.021a | 1 | ||||
Abbreviations: ANH, acute normovolemic hemodilution; OTT, osteotomy.
Note:
a p-value calculated using the Fisher exact test (p < 0.05).
| Transfusion | Levels operated | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n | Mean | Median | Minimum | Maximum | Standard deviation | |||
| ANH | No | 15 | 10.7 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 2.7 | p > 0.05 |
| Yes | 2 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 7 | 14 | 4.9 | ||
| Control | No | 9 | 8.9 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 2.1 | p = 0.020 |
| Yes | 4 | 11.5 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 1.0 | ||
Abbreviation: ANH, acute normovolemic hemodilution.
Note: Non-parametric Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05).
The mean value of intraoperative bleeding was of 629.4 mL, and, postoperatively, it was of 379.11 mL for the ANH group, compared to 754.2 mL and 296.2 ml respectively for the control group, but without statistical significance. There was a lower perioperative-postoperative bleeding reduction in the ANH group, with p < 0.05 (Fig. 4).

The laboratory tests were compared before and after surgery and between the groups, as represented in Table 5.
| n | 15 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 30 | 30 | |
| HB | Preoperative | 13.7 | 14.4 | 13.5 | 12.5 | 13.6 | 13.1 |
| Postoperative | 10.8 | 7.8 | 11.9 | 10.4 | 11.1 | 9.5 | |
| After 24 h | 9.6 | 6.0 | 10.3 | 10.4 | 9.8 | 8.9 | |
| Post-pre | -2.9 | -6.7 | -1.8 | -2.1 | -2.6 | -3.6 | |
| 24 h after-pre | -4.1 | -8.5 | -3.4 | -2.1 | -3.9 | -4.2 | |
| HT | Preoperative | 40.8 | 43.3 | 40.4 | 37.7 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| Postoperative | 32.2 | 23.0 | 35.7 | 32.7 | 33.3 | 29.4 | |
| After 24 h | 28.6 | 18.0 | 30.7 | 30.8 | 29.3 | 26.5 | |
| Post-pre | -8.6 | -20.3 | -5.0 | -5.0 | -7.5 | -10.1 | |
| After 24 h-pre | -12.2 | -25.3 | -10.3 | -6.9 | -11.5 | -13.0 | |
| PAT | Preoperative | 12.5 | 11.9 | 14.0 | 12.4 | 13.0 | 12.2 |
| After 24 h | 14.5 | 14.0 | 14.9 | 14.6 | 14.6 | 14.4 | |
| After 24 h-pre | 2.0 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 2.2 | |
| APTT | Preoperative | 32.7 | 31.3 | 29.7 | 25.3 | 31.6 | 27.3 |
| After 24 h | 30.9 | 32.9 | 26.9 | 24.7 | 29.6 | 27.4 | |
| After 24 h-pre | -1.7 | 1.6 | -2.5 | -0.6 | -2.0 | 0.1 |
Abbreviations: ANH, acute normovolemic hemodilution; APTT, activated partial thromboplastin time, in seconds; HB, serum hemoglobin in g/dL; HT, hematocrit in %; PAT, prothrombin activation time, in seconds.
Note: p > 0.05 for all groups.
The coagulation profile was analyzed, and in both groups there was a widening of the PAT – with a greater difference before and after surgery in the ANH group (p = 0.014) –, and a decrease in the APTT, with a greater decrease in the control group (p = 0.793) (Figs. 5 and 6).


There was a greater need for the use of local hemostatics in the control group compared to the ANH group (30.8% versus 5.9% respectively; p > 0.05). There was no statistical relevance for the need for transfusion according to the method applied, as shown in Figure 7. In general, patients requiring blood products had more severe deformities in 75% of the cases, and, consequently they had more levels to be addressed (7-14, mean: 11.1), plus osteotomies (1-9; mean: 4 versus 0-5; mean: 1.56; p < 0.05). This group also had high rates of perioperative bleeding (600-2,000 mL; mean: 1,050 mL), which was statistically significant (p = 0.007) when compared to the mean bleeding of the patients who did not receive transfusions (593.6 mL). For the purpose of comparison, the patients were divided into a group with AIS and a second group with other diagnoses. In this second group, the surgical time was longer (p <0.05), there was higher implant density (p = 0.07) and almost double the amount of posterior osteotomies performed (p > 0.05) (Table 6).

| Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (n = 14) | Other deformities (n = 16) | p-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgical time (mean) | 4.29 h | 5.45 h | 0.002 |
| Density of the implant (mean) | 0.74 | 0.82 | 0.07 |
| Osteotomies (mean) | 0.92 | 1.86 | > 0.05 |
| Bleeding (mean) | 561 mL | 806 mL | 0.058 |

DISCUSSION
Bleeding control should be part of the initial surgical planning. The application of techniques can prevent the need for transfusion in patients undergoing AIS surgery.6 The evolution of the surgical techniques enabled better results on terms of esthetics and function, but, the longer the procedure, the greater the perioperative bleeding7-9 and fibrinolysis, with consequent increase in hemorrhage, which generates a vicious circle that increases the morbimortality.9
In neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) surgery, there is greater blood loss compared to AIS surgery,10-12 mainly due to the greater extent of the arthrodesis,11 with possible relation with the use of anticonvulsants and malnutrition. The estimated blood loss in the AIS surgery is of 1,300-2,200 mL, compared to 2,000-4,000 mL for the NMS surgery.12 In addition to hypotension, anemia and coagulopathy due to depletion, blood loss leads to an increase in the number of transfused units.10 In the present study, patients with AIS had a mean bleeding of 561 mL, while in other deformities it was up to 2,000 mL (mean: 806 mL). Only one patient with AIS required transfusion.
Postoperative PAT and APTT prolongation is expected due to a dysfunction in platelet aggregation, which, especially in cases of NMS,10,13 indicates coagulation overregulation in response to surgical stress and consumption of coagulation factors.13 In the present study, there was a decrease in the APTT and prolongation of the PAT in all patients, with no clinical repercussions, as verified by Oppitz and Stefani.5
Bleeding in deformity corrections is high because of the rich local vascularity, wide exposure and prolonged surgical time. The estimated blood loss is of 10-30 mL/kg.11,14 There was a great deal of variability in the values found in the present study (200-2,000 mL), a fact that can be attributed to the etiology, the severity of the deformity, the operated levels, the osteotomies and the surgical time. Sex, advanced age, cardiovascular disease, extensive laminectomies and low Ht in the preoperative period 15,16 did not result in increased bleeding.
Osteotomies are eventually needed to correct more severe deformities, especially in adults.17 Pedicle subtraction is associated with higher levels of blood loss (up to 3 L) due to the dissection of large-caliber epidural veins18 and increased surgical time.8 The VCR is an option for severe and/or rigid deformities.17 Posterior osteotomies (also known as Smith Petersen osteotomies), which are considered easier and faster, have limited correction power (5º-20º), whereas pedicle subtraction can correct 30º-40º per level.7,19 There are reports of higher bleeding rates with the posterior approach than with the anterior pproach.12 All patients in the present study had the procedure performed by the posterior approach.
In the present study, the patients submitted to osteotomies had a higher average bleeding rate, which in line with the literature, but the only statistically relevant data was the increased need for transfusion in the control group when the osteotomies by the posterior approach were performed. The ANH was not proven effective to avoid transfusion when the osteotomy was performed, but a trend towards statistical relevance was noticed in proportion to the increase in the aggressiveness of the approach.
Identifying risk factors, discontinuing medications such as acetylsalicylic acid, anti-inflammatory drugs and anticoagulants,1,20 and even preoperative embolization of the vertebral body21 reduces hospitalization time, costs and bleeding. Thorough dissection of the periosteum and the use of electrocautery and hemostatic agents1,6 may be adjuvants of autologous donation, ANH or hypotensive anesthesia.6 Although Szpalski et al22 and Urban et al23 have shown that adequate evidence exists for their use, controlled hypotension is controversial in spinal surgery because it does not reduce intraoperative blood loss,14 and because of the risk of spinal cord injury due to reduced flow.7,24 They also mention that the use of systemic and local hemostatic agents would be controversial.22
The use of fibrinolytics gained popularity in the 1990s.18,25 In children with NMS, their use was effective in reducing bleeding and transfusion.10,26 Aprotinin inhibits anticoagulant enzymes, as well as the intrinsic pathway of coagulation and platelet aggregation.9,25 Its use has been discontinued9,10 due to increased mortality from acute myocardial infarction9 and acute renal failure,25 although previous studies have shown reduced transfusion in heart, knee and hip surgeries9,18,25 and also despite the fact that they have been considered superior to tranexamic acid in pedicle osteotomy.18
Tranexamic acid was administered to all patients in this study. It acts through the reversible binding of plasminogen with lysine,24 it is considered safe, and is widely used in cardiac and urogynecological surgeries. In a retrospective study,24 its use in AIS resulted in less bleeding and transfusion,24 but it was not effective in cases of pedicle subtraction in adults.18 Its use does not increase the morbimortality and the incidence of thromboembolic events.27
In the present study, the rate of homologous blood transfusion was of 20%, which is within the range of 8-36% reported by Purvis et al,28 who described multiple possible complications (increased mortality, hospital infections, prolonged hospitalization, besides the high cost),7,16,20,29 although no complications were reported. It was not possible to isolate a factor responsible for transfusion, but a variable association between operated levels, severity of the deformity, surgical time and osteotomies.
Autologous transfusion is considered safer,3 and should be performed with donation prior to surgery (3 to 5 weeks, with limitations in the case of elderly and anemic patients),7 normovolemic hemodilution, cell preservation (high cost),7,16,28 or hypervolemic hemodilution, which reduces the need for allogeneic transfusion14 by dilution in plasma or in macromolecule solutions, with increasing circulating volume.4 It is considered quick, easier, more stable and cheaper than the ANH.
In the ANH, the collected blood is diluted with acellular fluid in the ratio of 2-4:1,7,16 leading to a reduction in perioperative blood loss with maintenance of the flow.3-5 Many studies show that ANH reduces the need for homologous transfusion between 18% and 90%;5,29 however, in the present study, there was no statistical significance regarding this, perhaps due to the number of cases. The ANH is considered safe and effective in spinal surgery when there is an estimated loss higher than 1 L or 20% of blood volume.16,29 There is a risk of extreme hemodilution (Ht < 20%), with risk of tissue ischemia, which is reversed with infusion of fresh plasma, according to McLaughlin.14 Its use in the pediatric population was tested in a 2004 prospective randomized study30 with children undergoing posterior arthrodesis, which proved that the ANH is safe and able to reduce the need for transfusion without the complications related to anemia.30 Tse et al31 have shown in their review that ANH, tranexamic acid, intrathecal morphine and modification of the operative techniques seem to be the best options to reduce perioperative bleeding and allogeneic blood transfusion. The use of ANH in this study aided in the control of bleeding, but not to the point of avoiding transfusion in an isolated manner.
CONCLUSION
The ANH technique associated with tranexamic acid has not been proven effective in reducing the need for homologous blood transfusion in corrective surgeries of spinal deformities, despite its tendency to reduce intraoperative bleeding, especially in cases that are considered more complex. The combined effect of the severity of the deformity, the osteotomies, and the number of operated/instrumented levels is a determinant for the need for transfusion, and the association of preoperative and intraoperative measures to control the bleeding should be considered in these cases. It is believed that a larger casuistry could prove its efficacy in comparison with isolated fibrinolytics.










