Use of a Modified Ultrafiltration Technique during Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery on a Jehovah's Witness

Abstract

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions, rendering open-heart surgery difficult. A 77-year-old female was scheduled for elective bloodless surgery to replace an aortic valve. When cardiopulmonary bypass concluded, all ultrafiltrated blood was re-infused using a modified ultrafiltration technique. We encountered no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Anesthesiologists should consider modified ultrafiltration when a patient refuses a blood transfusion.