Review of problems of massive blood transfusion in a surgical intensive care unit.

A retrospective review of 29 surgical patients who were massively transfused perioperatively according to a standard transfusion protocol was carried out. Volume of blood transfused was 2,300 mls to 12,440 mls, with a mean of 5,168 mls. Results of this study showed: administration of bicarbonate should be individualised and based on blood gas analysis. deficiency in factor V and factor VIII in CPD adenine blood did not cause disturbance in haemostasis. Postoperative thrombocytopenia was significant, 89.28% had platelet count less than 150 X 10(9)/L. Further drop in platelet count was observed 24 hours postoperatively. Hyperkalaemia was not observed, hypokalaemia following surgery with massive blood transfusion was observed in 53.6% of our patients.