by targetmarket | Mar 15, 2024 | Bloodless Heart Surgery
Bloodless heart surgery is performed to prevent blood loss and eliminate the need for blood transfusions and has been shown to provide an easier recovery process. It uses cutting-edge medical techniques that preserve the patient’s own blood. Also known as transfusion-free surgery, it can be a viable alternative for those who need traditional heart surgery but prefer a bloodless approach for personal or religious reasons. At Minimally Invasive and Bloodless Heart Surgery with Dr. Ciuffo, we’re here to take a closer look at what bloodless heart surgery is and what you can expect from the recovery process. How Bloodless Heart Surgery Works Transfusion-free surgery involves advanced techniques that prevent blood loss. In most cases, a surgeon will draw several units of blood, store it in a vessel, and infuse it back into the patient at the end of the procedure. The blood that they draw at the beginning usually gets replaced with a special salt solution, which dilutes the patient’s blood. This ensures that any blood that is lost has fewer red blood cells. A surgeon may also collect bloodshed from bleeding during a case, wash it, and reinfuse it at the end of the procedure. Keep in mind that each bloodless heart surgery is unique and designed for each patient’s particular situation, needs, and preferences. The recovery process also deemed on a case-to-case basis. Reasons to Undergo Bloodless Heart Surgery There are a number of reasons patients choose bloodless heart surgery over traditional heart surgery, which involves blood loss and blood transfusions. It may make sense for those who are concerned about HIV, hepatitis, or other blood-borne diseases... 
by targetmarket | Sep 29, 2023 | Bloodless Heart Surgery, Dr. Giovanni B Ciuffo
Heart surgery, also known as cardiac surgery, is a medical procedure that has saved countless lives by treating various heart conditions. Traditionally, heart surgery involves the use of blood transfusions to replace lost blood during the procedure. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in bloodless heart surgery, a technique that eliminates or significantly reduces the need for blood transfusions. Bloodless Heart Surgery While bloodless heart surgery offers numerous advantages, it’s essential to acknowledge patients need to be well-informed about the process and decide whether it is a good option for their individual needs. Here at Minimally Invasive and Bloodless Heart Surgery with Dr. Giovanni B. Ciuffo, we will explore everything you need to know about bloodless heart surgery, from its benefits to the techniques used. Why Bloodless Heart Surgery? Bloodless heart surgery care is an increasingly popular choice for all patients who need surgery in a growing number of medical institutions. It is interesting to note that more and more patients are becoming interested in bloodless heart surgery, regardless of their religious beliefs. It turns out that avoiding the transfusion of blood products has significant clinical benefits. Bloodless heart surgery has gained popularity due to several compelling reasons: Reduced Risk: Blood transfusions come with potential risks, including transfusion reactions, infections, and compatibility issues. Bloodless heart surgery eliminates these risks, making it a safer option for some patients. Keep The Immune System Strong: A downfall of blood transfusions is that they can weaken the immune system and cause it to be less reactive. A weak immune system will not be able to fight infections or cancer... by DrCiuffo | Sep 29, 2016 | Blog, Uncategorized
There are several reasons why you might choose to have bloodless heart surgery. Be it health, religious, or another type of concern, you or a loved one won’t have to have a blood transfusion during your surgery. Additionally, the surgery is minimally invasive and leaves little scarring. The Surgery There are a few methods used to avoid blood transfusions at Dr. Chiuffo’s office: Extra Corporeal Circulation (the heart-lung machine) with or without blood storage. The entire blood volume can be kept in circulation at all times, in compliance with the principles and beliefs of the Jehovah’s witness community. Beating Heart Surgery technique for coronary artery bypass. It avoids using the heart-lung machine and helps us maintain a better ability to coagulate and stop bleeding after surgery. Blood Salvage. A “cell saver” machine that filters and returns the patient’s blood to his/her own circulation. A closed circulation loop with no storage can be maintained at all times. Intraoperative hemodilution: some of the patient’s own blood can be removed prior to surgery and replaced with fluid. After surgery, the patient’s blood is re-circulated into the patient’s body with the advantage of fresh, intact coagulation properties (not used in Jehovah’s witnesses because the blood needs to be stored out of the circulation for an hour or two) Careful cell saver recycling and rinsing of any blood absorbed in surgical pads and gauze during surgery. Many surgeons, unfortunately, do not pay much attention to what happens to those blood-soaked surgical pads. A surgical gauze pad can absorb up 300 ml of blood which could be lost with the rest of the disposables if an effort to recover it is not routinely made. A considerable amount of... by DrCiuffo | Sep 22, 2016 | Blog
Pediatric heart disease occurs in about 1 in 100 children. Heart disease in children can manifest itself in a number of different ways, including arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, cholesterol, congenital heart defects, heart failure, and stroke. Some of these diseases develop in older children, while others can be present at birth. For more information on pediatric heart diseases, visit the American Heart Association. While traditional heart surgery may be your first choice to treat your child’s heart disease, you may also want to consider bloodless surgery for its benefits and success rate. Bloodless Heart Surgery Dr. Ciuffo has developed very effective clinical strategies and routines that have made bloodless heart surgery a reality for most of our patients, including children. Bloodless heart surgery care is an increasingly popular choice for all patients that need surgery in a growing number of medical institutions. Bloodless surgery avoids the need for the transfusion of blood products and also has significant clinical benefits. If your child needs bloodless heart surgery, you can expect a careful preparation of your child for bloodless heart surgery. During the surgery, a team of doctors will use a precise and meticulous technique. After the surgery, there will be a thorough postoperative follow-up for your child. In addition, bloodless surgery allows for the avoidance of potential side effects and complications related to blood transfusions. Dr. Ciuffo and the Minimally Invasive and Bloodless Heart Surgery Program Dr. Ciuffo is dedicated to helping you and your child through this tough time. We care about your child, and are prepared to give him or her the best care possible. Our bloodless surgeries have low... by DrCiuffo | Nov 14, 2014 | Blog, Bloodless Heart Surgery, Jehovah Witnesses
Dr. Ciuffo and the Aultman Heart Surgery Center respect all religious beliefs all over the world and understand that sometimes life-saving surgery can conflict with certain religious ideologies. Dr. Ciuffo specializes in minimally invasive heart surgery that can be adjusted to come to a bloodless procedure in line with the religious specifications of Jehovah Witnesses, whose Old and New Testaments commands Jehovah Witnesses do not accept blood. About Aultman Heart Surgery Center & Dr. Ciuffo The Aultman Heart Surgery Center specializes in all types of heart surgery, and Dr. Ciuffo joined them to provide minimally invasive, bloodless heart surgery techniques. These minimally invasive surgical techniques minimize the loss of blood during surgery which eliminates the need for blood transfusions, which is why Jehovah Witnesses are some of his most common patients. Bloodless Surgery For Jehovah Witnesses The minimally invasive and bloodless heart surgery is performed through a small incision on the side, and Dr. Ciuffo use of a combination of blood-saving techniques eliminates the need for transfusions, totally in line with Jehovah Witness beliefs. Many of Dr. Ciuffo’s patients are Jehovah Witnesses, read all the testimonials on his patient stories now. Bloodless heart surgery patient, Nancy K. states: “I wanted the best medical care available but as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses I also wanted No Blood. I was aware of medical and surgical alternatives to blood transfusion such as the use of cell saver pumps and other medical treatments to boost my own hemoglobin level prior to surgery. When Dr. Giovanni B. Ciuffo’s name was given to me by the Jehovah’s Witnesses Hospital Liaison Committee I was eager to interview him! Not only did he respect my patient’s...
