What is a phlebotomy?
A phlebotomy is a safe outpatient procedure in which a predetermined amount of blood (usually half a litre or 16 ounces) is removed while at the same time a predetermined amount of intravenous fluid is administered (volume replacement) using normal saline (a weak solution of salt and water). Why is phlebotomy needed? Red blood cells (RBCs) pick up oxygen from the lungs and deliver it to the body. With cyanotic congenital heart disease not enough oxygen enters the blood. The body then increases production of RBCs in an attempt to compensate. This condition is called erythrocytosis. As the number of RBCs increase, the blood becomes thicker and may cause symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, headaches, faintness, decreased alertness, blurred or double vision, muscle aches, numbness and tingling in the fingers, toes, or lips, or ringing in the ears. The goal of the phlebotomy is to relieve these symptoms. Interestingly, each person will develop his/her own symptoms that can be different from som
