Blood transfusion and cardiovscular system: Physiological effects of erythrocyte transfusion

Abstract

The main issue in deciding whether to perform a blood transfusion is the risk of developing ischemia of the heart or brain, which poses a serious threat to the patient. Tolerance to anemia partially depends on volume conditions and is better tolerated in normovolemia (normal blood volume) than in hypovolemia (low blood volume), as hemodilution (blood dilution) increases cardiac output