We do cardiac operations on adults, children and do ECMO. None of these populations get special treatment as far as the age of red cell components used. I would strongly oppose any change in this policy. The storage lesion is real, but thus far I think it is far from sorted out which patients if any should be given preferential treatment. As far as cardiac surgeons demanding/dictating transfusion policies, I would insist this go through medical executive AND ethics first before any changes are made. This area is ripe for abuse. We must stick to our guns and do what is best for all our patients.
