Suction, salvage, sutures, and potions: blood management post-aprotinin.

Hemostasis management of the cardiac surgical patient has changed following the withdrawal of aprotinin for use in cardiac surgical patients. The challenge to minimize blood loss and reduce exposure of cardiac surgical patients to blood products continues to grow with patients presenting being older and sicker and more complex procedures being performed. The cardiac surgery team has many options available for it to consider; although current recommendations strongly support the use of cell salvage as one process to assist in this challenge, other options need to be equally critically evaluated.