Clinical Research Directory

Reducing Red Blood Cell Transfusion Requirements for Adults Undergoing Surgical Resection of the Liver - A Quality Improvement Project

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if implementing a controlled blood removal protocol (i.e. hypovolemic phlebotomy \[HP\] where approximately 10% of the patient's blood is removed and reinfused following hepatic resection as described in the PRICE-2 clinical trial) will reduce the rate of blood transfusions in liver resection surgery at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Our goals (not included in the PRICE-2 trial) are as follows: * Improved monitoring of how the body responds during surgery following controlled blood removal. We will conduct blood tests to look at oxygen, carbon dioxide, lactate, and acid (pH) levels in the blood as well as urine output. * Standardized guidelines for how fluids and blood pressure medications are used during surgery to reduce blood loss and keep hemodynamics stable. * Monitor patients' recovery following surgery to track complications, injury to the heart, length of hospital stay, and outcomes for up to 90 days. We will also compare long-term recurrence rate of liver cancer compared to patients in the past at our site who did not receive the controlled blood removal (i.e., HP) prior to surgery.