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Published in: World Journal of Surgery 7/2018

01-07-2018 | Original Scientific Report

The Association of Preoperative Hematocrit and Transfusion with Mortality in Patients Undergoing Elective Non-cardiac Surgery

Authors: Rodney A. Gabriel, Anthony I. Clark, Albert P. Nguyen, Ruth S. Waterman, Ulrich H. Schmidt

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 7/2018

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Abstract

Background

Patients with anemia frequently undergo surgery, as it is unclear at what threshold clinicians should consider delaying surgery for preoperative anemia optimization. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether there is an association of varying degrees of anemia and transfusion with 30-day mortality.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2011 to 2013. Cohorts were analyzed based on preoperative hematocrit range—patients with: (1) no anemia, (2) hematocrit ≥33% and <36% in females or <39% in males, (3) hematocrit ≥30% and <33%, (4) hematocrit ≥27% and <30%, (5) hematocrit ≥24% and <27%, and (6) hematocrit ≥21% and less than 24%. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association of anemia and transfusion with 30-day in-hospital mortality.

Results

The odds for 30-day mortality increased incrementally as the hematocrit ranges decreased, in which preoperative hematocrit between 21 and 24% had the highest odds for this outcome (odds ratio [OR] 6.50, p < 0.0001) compared to the reference group (no anemia). The use of transfusion increased the odds of mortality even further (OR 5.57, p < 0.0001). Among patients that received an intra-/postoperative transfusion, preoperative anemia was not predictive of mortality.

Conclusions

Healthcare providers making preoperative clinical decisions for patients undergoing elective surgery should consider the degree of preoperative anemia and likelihood of perioperative transfusion.
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Metadata
Title
The Association of Preoperative Hematocrit and Transfusion with Mortality in Patients Undergoing Elective Non-cardiac Surgery
Authors
Rodney A. Gabriel
Anthony I. Clark
Albert P. Nguyen
Ruth S. Waterman
Ulrich H. Schmidt
Publication date
01-07-2018
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
World Journal of Surgery / Issue 7/2018
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-017-4359-y

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