Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Cochrane review of 18 RCTs evaluating desmopressin (DDAVP) for surgical blood conservation. Found a small reduction in perioperative blood loss, particularly in patients with platelet dysfunction. Most useful as an adjunct in complex cardiac and orthopedic procedures.
Desmopressin reduced perioperative blood loss by a weighted mean of 115 mL (95% CI –208 to –22 mL), with the greatest effect seen in patients taking aspirin or with platelet dysfunction.