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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Blood transfusion in cardiac surgery is a risk factor for increased hospital length of stay in adult patients

Authors: Filomena RBG Galas, Juliano P Almeida, Julia T Fukushima, Eduardo A Osawa, Rosana E Nakamura, Carolina MPDC Silva, Elisângela Pinto Marinho de Almeida, Jose Otavio Costa Auler Jr, Jean-Louis Vincent, Ludhmila A Hajjar

Published in: Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

Allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion has been proposed as a negative indicator of quality in cardiac surgery. Hospital length of stay (LOS) may be a surrogate of poor outcome in transfused patients.

Methods

Data from 502 patients included in Transfusion Requirements After Cardiac Surgery (TRACS) study were analyzed to assess the relationship between RBC transfusion and hospital LOS in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and enrolled in the TRACS study.

Results

According to the status of RBC transfusion, patients were categorized into the following three groups: 1) 199 patients (40%) who did not receive RBC, 2) 241 patients (48%) who received 3 RBC units or fewer (low transfusion requirement group), and 3) 62 patients (12%) who received more than 3 RBC units (high transfusion requirement group). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, the following factors were predictive of a prolonged hospital length of stay: age higher than 65 years, EuroSCORE, valvular surgery, combined procedure, LVEF lower than 40% and RBC transfusion of > 3 units.

Conclusion

RBC transfusion is an independent risk factor for increased LOS in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This finding highlights the adequacy of a restrictive transfusion therapy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01021631.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Blood transfusion in cardiac surgery is a risk factor for increased hospital length of stay in adult patients
Authors: Filomena RBG Galas
Juliano P Almeida
Julia T Fukushima
Eduardo A Osawa
Rosana E Nakamura
Carolina MPDC Silva
Elisângela Pinto Marinho de Almeida
Jose Otavio Costa Auler Jr
Jean-Louis Vincent
Ludhmila A Hajjar
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1749-8090
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1749-8090-8-54

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Blood transfusion in cardiac surgery is a risk factor for increased hospital length of stay in adult patients

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration

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