Factors associated with damage caused by RBC storage and their effect on Molecular aspects of associated inflammatoryProperties with blood transfusion and anesthetic agent after cardiac surgery

Although there have been significant advances in the treatment of cardiovascular patients, but the side effects of treatment are the most critical challenges that cardiologists face today after surgery. Inflammation is one of the complications of using anesthetics and blood transfusions in patients. Therefore, in this study, the factors related to erythrocyte storage lesion and their effect on the molecular aspects of inflammation induced by blood transfusion and the use of anesthetics after heart surgery were investigated to reduce this problem.

Relevant literature was identified by a PubMed search (2001-2021); the search was limited to English-language papers containing the following terms and phrases, “Thoracic surgery”, “Inflammation”, “Anesthesia”, and “Blood Transfusion”.

Factors related to the lysis of RBCs accumulate during the storage of blood products in the bags including Hb, Heme, and ammonia; can cause inflammation through distinct pathways in the post-surgical patients. Using different anesthetics can also trigger inflammatory responses. However, some of these anesthetics act as a double-edged sword and can induce inflammation or prevent it.

Identifying the factors that increase due to immune response stimulation and the pathways preventing inflammation can be an excellent therapeutic strategy to reduce inflammation after cardiac surgery.