Coronary artery bypass grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass in a patient with beta-thalassemia: report of a case.

We performed successful coronary artery bypass grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in a man with beta-thalassemia. Cardiopulmonary bypass for patients with hemoglobin disorders occasionally results in fatal hematologic complications. However, taking careful precautions such as transfusing stored autologous blood and administering haptoglobin may eliminate the need for allotransfusion, and prevent severe or persistent hemolysis and other complications. This case shows that cardiac surgery can be performed safely under CPB in patients with beta-thalassemia.