Red Cell Transfusion Triggers and Postoperative Outcomes After Major Surgery

Lower bleeding volume contributes to decreasing surgical site infection in radical cystectomy: A propensity score-matched comparison of open versus robot-assisted radical cystectomy

OBJECTIVES

To compare the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) between robot-assisted and open radical cystectomies and investigate the risk factors for SSI after radical cystectomies.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy between July 2008 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence and characteristics of SSI after open and robot-assisted radical cystectomies were compared, and the risk factors for SSI were investigated using propensity score matching.

RESULTS

This study enrolled 231 patients (open: 145, robot-assisted: 86). In the robot-assisted group, urinary diversion was performed using an intracorporeal approach. SSI occurred in 34 (open: 28, robot-assisted: 6) patients, and the incidence was significantly lower in the robot-assisted group (19.3% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.007). After propensity score matching cohort (open: 34, robot-assisted: 34), increased bleeding volume, blood transfusion, and delayed postoperative oral feeding were significantly associated with SSI. Only increased bleeding volume remained a significant risk factor in the multivariate regression analysis (odds ratio, 1.13 [per 100 mL increase]; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.25; p = 0.001). The cutoff bleeding volume for predicting SSI was 1630 mL with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.773, 0.73, and 0.75, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of SSI after robot-assisted radical cystectomy was significantly lower than that after the open procedure. However, decreased bleeding volume, which was significantly associated with robot-assisted procedures, was an independent and more significant factor for reducing SSI after radical cystectomy than the differences of the surgical procedure even after propensity score matching.

Factors Associated with Perioperative Transfusions in Veterans

Background: Private sector literature demonstrates an association between perioperative transfusions and poor clinical outcomes. Hemostatic agents, surgeon training, and patient blood management programs (PBMPs) may mitigate perioperative bleeding. This study attempts to identify preoperative risk factors associated with perioperative transfusions in Veterans. Study Design and Methods: This study is a retrospective review of the prospectively maintained Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Project database. Included patients were older than 18 years and underwent noncardiac surgery between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2021. Data collected included demographics, surgery variables, preoperative clinical variables, postoperative outcomes, and perioperative transfusions. Cohorts were created based on transfusion status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to characterize the similarities, differences, and potential predictors of perioperative transfusion. Results: Of 6108 patients included, 153 patients received perioperative transfusions. The risks for transfusion included older age, male sex, black race, smoking, and low body mass index (BMI). The highest percent of transfused patients underwent vascular (43.4%), orthopedic (22%), and general surgeries (20%). Transfusion increased risk for postoperative cerebral vascular accident (P = .041) and 30-day mortality (P < .001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed American Society of Anesthesiology class, chemotherapy within 30 days, increased age, tobacco smoking, and decreased BMI were predictive of perioperative transfusions. Discussion: Perioperative transfusions are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the Veteran population. These retrospective data describe the complex relationships between perioperative transfusions and outcomes after noncardiac surgery. These results serve as a foundation to create predictive models and PBMP within the veteran population to decrease transfusion requirements and associated complications.

Application of cardiovascular interventions to decrease blood loss during hepatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Perioperative bleeding and allogeneic blood transfusion are generally thought to affect the outcomes of patients. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the benefits and risks of several cardiovascular interventions in patients undergoing hepatectomy.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in the Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science to February 02, 2023. RCTs focused on cardiovascular interventions aimed at reducing blood loss or blood transfusion requirements during hepatectomy were included. The primary outcomes were perioperative blood loss amount, number of patients requiring allogeneic blood transfusion and overall occurrence of postoperative complications. The secondary outcomes were operating time, perioperative mortality rate, postoperative liver and kidney function and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Seventeen RCTs were included in the analysis. A total of 841 patients who underwent hepatectomy in 10 trials were included in the comparative analysis between low central venous pressure (CVP) and control groups. The forest plots showed a low operative bleeding volume [(mean difference (MD): -409.75 mL, 95% confidence intervals (CI) -616.56 to -202.94, P < 0.001], reduced blood transfusion rate [risk ratio (RR): 0.47, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.65, P < 0.001], shortened operating time (MD: -13.42 min, 95% CI -22.59 to -4.26, P = 0.004), and fewer postoperative complications (RR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.99, P = 0.04) in the low CVP group than in the control group. Five and two trials compared the following interventions, respectively: 'acute normovolaemic haemodilution (ANH) vs control' and 'autologous blood donation vs control'. ANH and autologous blood donation could not reduce the blood loss amount but greatly decreased the number of patients requiring allogeneic blood transfusion. No benefits were found in the rate of mortality and length of postoperative hospital stay in any of the comparisons.

CONCLUSION

Lowering the CVP seems to be effective and safe in adult patients undergoing hepatectomy. ANH and autologous blood donation should be used as a part of blood management for suitable patients in certain circumstances.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42022314061.

A Machine Learning-Modified Novel Nomogram to Predict Perioperative Blood Transfusion of Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Background

Perioperative blood transfusion reserves are limited, and the outcome of blood transfusion remains unclear. Therefore, it is important to prepare plans for perioperative blood transfusions. This study aimed to establish a risk assessment model to guide clinical patient management.

Methods

This retrospective comparative study involving 513 patients who had total gastrectomy (TG) between January 2018 and January 2021 was conducted using propensity score matching (PSM). The influencing factors were explored by logistic regression, correlation analysis, and machine learning; then, a nomogram was established.

Results

After assessment of the importance of factors through machine learning, blood loss, preoperative controlling nutritional status (CONUT), hemoglobin (Hb), and the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index were considered as the modified transfusion-related factors. The modified model was not considered to be different from the original model in terms of performance, but is simpler. A nomogram was created, with a C-index of 0.834, and the decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated good clinical benefit.

Conclusions

A nomogram was established and modified with machine learning, which suggests the importance of the patient’s integral condition. This emphasizes that caution should be exercised regarding transfusions, and, if necessary, preoperative nutritional interventions or delayed surgery should be implemented for safety.

Pulmonary infection after hepatic resection: Associated factors and impact on outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Postoperative pulmonary complications are frequent after hepatectomy. The aim of this retrospective study was to use preoperative and intraoperative data to establish specific factors associated with post-hepatectomy pneumonia (PHPN).

METHODS

Patients underwent minor or major hepatectomy for cancer or non-cancer treatment. Surgical procedure was performed by laparoscopy or laparotomy. PHPN was defined as a new radiologic finding associated with fever, leucocytosis and purulent bronchial secretions. The incidence, associated factors and prognosis of PHPN were investigated.

RESULTS

In 399 patients undergoing planned hepatectomy, 49 (12.3%) developed pneumonia. Of 81 patients (20.3%) with cirrhosis, 77 were Child-Pugh A and 4 were Child-Pugh B. Hepatectomy indication was cancer in 331 patients (of which metastasis in 213). Laparoscopy rate was 31.3%. In multivariate analysis, the main factors statistically associated with PHPN were: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (odds ratio [OR] = 4.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60-10.84; P = 0.003), intraoperative blood transfusion (OR = 2.46; 95% CI 1.01-5.70; P = 0.001), laparotomy (OR = 3.01; 95% CI 1.09-8.27; P = 0.03), and nasogastric tube maintained at day 1 (OR = 2.09; 95% CI 1.03-4.22; P = 0.04). Length of stay was significantly different between groups without PHPN (10.2 days) versus with PHPN (26.4 days; P < 0.001). Intra-hospital and one-year mortality were greater in the PHPN group than the pneumonia-free group (8.16 vs 0% and 18.4 vs 3.4%, respectively; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

COPD, transfusion and laparotomy (versus laparoscopy) are factors associated with PHPN and impaired survival.

Impact of Perioperative Blood Transfusion in Anemic Patients Undergoing Infra Inguinal Bypass

OBJECTIVE

Patients who present with lower extremity ischemia are frequently anemic and the optimal transfusion threshold for this cohort remains controversial. We sought to evaluate the impact of blood transfusion on postoperative major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, dysrhythmia, stroke, congestive heart failure, and 30-day mortality for these patients.

METHODS

All consecutive patients who underwent infra-inguinal bypass at our institution from 2011 to 2020 were included. Perioperative red blood cell transfusion was the primary exposure, and the primary outcome was MACE. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to assess the impact of patient and procedural variables, including red blood cell transfusion, stratified by hemoglobin (Hgb) nadir: <7, 7-8, and >8 g/dL.

RESULTS

Of the 287 patients reviewed for analysis, 146 (50.9%) had a perioperative transfusion (mean: 1.6 ± 3 units). Patients who received a transfusion had a mean nadir Hgb of 8.3 ± 1.0 g/dL, compared to 10.1 ± 1.7 g/dL without a transfusion. The overall incidence of MACE was 15.7% (45 of 287 patients). Univariate analysis demonstrated that MACE was associated with blood transfusion (P = 0.009), lower Hgb nadir (P = 0.02), and higher blood loss (P = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, transfusion was independently associated with MACE for patients with a Hgb nadir >8 g/dL (OR: 3.09; P = 0.006), but not for patients with Hgb nadir 7-8 g/dL (OR: 0.818; P = 0.77). Additionally, patients with MACE had significantly longer length of hospital stay than for patients without (13 vs. 7.7 days, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients undergoing infra-inguinal bypass, receiving a red blood cell transfusion with a Hgb nadir >8 g/dL was associated with a 3-fold increase in MACE, with nearly twice the length of stay. For patients with a Hgb 7-8 g/dL, transfusion did not increase or reduce the incidence of MACE. These findings suggest no benefit of blood transfusion for patients with Hgb nadir >7 g/dL and harm for Hgb >8 g/dL, however causation cannot be proven due to the retrospective nature of the study and randomized studies are needed to confirm or refute these findings.

Blood utilization and clinical outcomes in pancreatic surgery before and after implementation of patient blood management

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, patient blood management (PBM) programs have been developed to reduce allogeneic blood utilization. This is particularly important in pancreatic surgery, which has historically been associated with high transfusion requirements and morbid event rates. This study investigated blood utilization and clinical outcomes in pancreatic surgery before, during, and after the implementation of PBM.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 3482 pancreatic surgery patients were assessed in a 10-year retrospective cohort study (2009-2019) at a single academic center. Baseline patient characteristics, transfusion practices, postoperative morbidity (infectious, thrombotic, ischemic, respiratory, and renal complications), mortality, and length of stay were compared between patients in the pre-PBM (2009-2013), early-PBM (2014-2016), and mature-PBM (2017-2019) time periods. Multivariable analysis assessed the odds for composite morbidity/mortality.

RESULTS

Comparing the mature-PBM to pre-PBM cohorts, transfused units per 100 discharged patients decreased by 53% for erythrocytes (155 to 73; P < .0001), 81% for plasma (79 to 15; P < .038), and 75% for platelets (10 to 2.5; P < .005). Clinical outcomes improved as well, with composite morbid event rates decreasing by more than 50%, from 236 in 1438 patients (16.4%) to 85 in 1145 patients (7.4%) (P < .0001). Mortality and length of stay remained unchanged. Compared to the pre-PBM time period, early-PBM was associated with a risk-adjusted decrease in composite morbidity/mortality (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.57-0.93; P = .010), while mature-PBM demonstrated a further incremental decrease (OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.33-0.57; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of PBM was associated with substantially decreased blood utilization in pancreatic surgery, without negatively impacting clinical outcomes.

Evaluation for Perioperative Blood Transfusion during Major Abdominal Procedures in a Pediatric Population: A Retrospective Observation Cohort Study

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine modifiable factors and their impact on perioperative blood transfusion for pediatric patients with major abdominal procedures.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of 1,506 patients who underwent major abdominal surgical procedures in a tertiary medical center from January 2008 to June 2018. Clinical data about blood administration including triggers and targets for intra- or postoperative transfusion were collected and analyzed. The inappropriate transfusion (transfusion > 8.0 g/dL of hemoglobin [Hb] trigger) and overtrans-fusion criteria (target transfusion > 10.0 g/dL or > 2 g/dL of target minus trigger level) were applied to examine the intraoperative factors with the intraoperative transfusion practice. Perioperative morbidity was further assessed based on the inappropriate transfusion and overtransfusion status.

Results

Intraoperative transfusion was used in 468 (31.1%) of the 1,506 patients included in the study. Among them, 212 (45.3%) intraoperative transfusion episodes were classified as inappropriate, and 135 cases (28.8%) were confirmed as overtransfusion. On univariate analysis, inappropriate transfusions were observed more commonly among patients with younger age (p < 0.001) and who underwent hepatic resection (p < 0.001) or intestinal resection (p < 0.001). Overtransfusion was also associated with elevated trigger of 8.0 g/dL Hb (p = 0.006) and younger age (p = 0.003). No perioperative complications were associated with inappropriate transfusions and overtransfusion under multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Overtransfusion was common in hepatic resection and younger age, but to definitely prove this hypothesis, a prospective randomized trial needs to be performed.

Restrictive Transfusion Strategy and Clinical Decision Support Practices for Reducing RBC Transfusion Overuse

OBJECTIVES

Assess support for the effectiveness of two separate practices, restrictive transfusion strategy and computerized physician order entry/clinical decision support (CPOE/CDS) tools, in decreasing RBC transfusions in adult surgical and nonsurgical patients.

METHODS

Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory Medicine Best Practice (LMBP) Systematic Review (A-6) method, studies were assessed for quality and evidence of effectiveness in reducing the percentage of patients transfused and/or units of blood transfused.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies on restrictive transfusion practice and seven studies on CPOE/CDS practice met LMBP inclusion criteria. The overall strength of the body of evidence of effectiveness for restrictive transfusion strategy and CPOE/CDS was rated as high.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these procedures, adherence to an institutional restrictive transfusion strategy and use of CPOE/CDS tools for hemoglobin alerts or reminders of the institution's restrictive transfusion policies are effective in reducing RBC transfusion overuse.

Patient Blood Management Program Improves Blood Use and Clinical Outcomes in Orthopedic Surgery

WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THIS TOPIC

WHAT THIS ARTICLE TELLS US THAT IS NEW: BACKGROUND:: Although randomized trials show that patients do well when given less blood, there remains a persistent impression that orthopedic surgery patients require a higher hemoglobin transfusion threshold than other patient populations (8 g/dl vs. 7 g/dl). The authors tested the hypothesis in orthopedic patients that implementation of a patient blood management program encouraging a hemoglobin threshold less than 7 g/dl results in decreased blood use with no change in clinical outcomes.

METHODS

After launching a multifaceted patient blood management program, the authors retrospectively evaluated all adult orthopedic patients, comparing transfusion practices and clinical outcomes in the pre- and post-blood management cohorts. Risk adjustment accounted for age, sex, surgical procedure, and case mix index.

RESULTS

After patient blood management implementation, the mean hemoglobin threshold decreased from 7.8 ± 1.0 g/dl to 6.8 ± 1.0 g/dl (P < 0.0001). Erythrocyte use decreased by 32.5% (from 338 to 228 erythrocyte units per 1,000 patients; P = 0.0007). Clinical outcomes improved, with decreased morbidity (from 1.3% to 0.54%; P = 0.01), composite morbidity or mortality (from 1.5% to 0.75%; P = 0.035), and 30-day readmissions (from 9.0% to 5.8%; P = 0.0002). Improved outcomes were primarily recognized in patients 65 yr of age and older. After risk adjustment, patient blood management was independently associated with decreased composite morbidity or mortality (odds ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.86; P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

In a retrospective study, patient blood management was associated with reduced blood use with similar or improved clinical outcomes in orthopedic surgery. A hemoglobin threshold of 7 g/dl appears to be safe for many orthopedic patients.

Perioperative use of blood products is associated with risk of morbidity and mortality after surgery

BACKGROUND

Administration of blood products may be associated with increased morbidity and perioperative mortality in surgical patients.

METHODS

Patients aged 18 + who underwent gastrointestinal surgery at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center 9/10/2015-5/9/2018 were identified. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate impact of blood product use on survival and complications, as well as to identify factors associated with receipt of transfusions.

RESULTS

Among 10,756 patients, 35,517 units of blood products were transfused. Preoperative nadir hemoglobin was associated with receipt of blood product transfusion (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.53, 0.68). After adjusting for patient and procedural characteristics, patients undergoing transfusion of blood products had an increased risk of perioperative mortality (OR 7.80, 95% CI 6.02, 10.10).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of blood products was associated with increased risk of complication and death. Patient blood management programs should be implemented to provide rational criteria and guidance for the transfusion of blood products.

Red blood cell transfusion in liver resection

BACKGROUND

Several modalities exist for the management of hepatic neoplasms. Resection, the most effective approach, carries significant risk of hemorrhage. Blood loss may be corrected with red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) in the short term, but may ultimately contribute to negative outcomes.

PURPOSE

Using available literature, we seek to define the frequency and risk factors of blood loss and transfusion following hepatectomy. The impact of blood loss and RBCT on short- and long-term outcomes is explored with an emphasis on peri-operative methods to reduce hemorrhage and transfusion.

RESULTS

Following hepatic surgery, 25.2-56.8% of patients receive RBCT. Patients who receive RBCT are at increased risk of surgical morbidity in a dose-dependent manner. The relationship between blood transfusion and surgical mortality is less apparent. RBCT might also impact long-term oncologic outcomes including disease recurrence and overall survival. Risk factors for bleeding and blood transfusion include hemoglobin concentration < 12.5 g/dL, thrombocytopenia, pre-operative biliary drainage, presence of background liver disease (such as cirrhosis), coronary artery disease, male gender, tumor characteristics (type, size, location, presence of vascular involvement), extent of hepatectomy, concomitant extrahepatic organ resection, and operative time. Strategies to mitigate blood loss or transfusion include pre-operative (iron, erythropoietin), intra-operative (vascular occlusion, parenchymal transection techniques, hemostatic agents, antifibrinolytics, low central pressure, hemodilution, autologous blood recycling), and post-operative (normothermia, correction of coagulopathy, optimization of nutrition, restrictive transfusion strategy) methods.

CONCLUSION

Blood loss during hepatectomy is common and several risk factors can be identified pre-operatively. Blood loss and RBCT during hepatectomy is associated with post-operative morbidity and mortality. Disease-free recurrence, disease-specific survival, and overall survival may be associated with blood loss and RBCT during hepatectomy. Attention to pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative strategies to reduce blood loss and RBCT is necessary.

Validation of a Nomogram to Predict the Risk of Perioperative Blood Transfusion for Liver Resection

BACKGROUND

Nomograms may be important clinical tools to estimate the preoperative risk of transfusion and allow for preemptive arrangements for alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusions.

METHODS

A multicentric international cohort of 1345 patients who underwent hepatectomy for benign or malign liver diseases was used to validate a nomogram developed by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

RESULTS

A total of 449 (33.3 %) patients received a blood transfusion after hepatectomy. Several variables were associated with the need of transfusion on univariate analysis: age, BMI, hemoglobin, PT-INR, bilirubin, AST, ALT, GGT, albumin, primary liver cancer, and number of segments resected. The MSKCC nomogram, including the number of segments resected, diagnosis (primary vs. non-primary), extrahepatic organ resection, as well as platelet and hemoglobin levels, had a good predictive ability (AUC = 0.69). The frequency of patients transfused ranged from 19 % for patients who were at "low risk" (<20 % risk to be transfused) up to 68 % for patients at "high risk" (>70 % risk to be transfused). The nomogram was tested in a multivariable model including other factors associated with risk of transfusion. The final model included age (OR 1.02, 95 % CI 1.01-1.03, p < 0.001), PT-INR (OR 1.54, 95 % CI 1.01-2.36, p = 0.048), and bilirubin (OR 1.86, 95 % CI 1.09-3.18, p = 0.021). The prediction ability for the integrated prediction model was AUC = 0.73.

CONCLUSION

The MSKCC nomogram was an effective clinical tool able to predict the perioperative risk of transfusion in our independent external validation. The inclusion of patient age, as well as factors associated with liver functional status (bilirubin and PT-INR), improved the predictive ability of the MSKCC nomogram.

Physiologic correlates of intraoperative blood transfusion among patients undergoing major gastrointestinal operations

BACKGROUND

Guidelines for transfusion focus on nadir levels of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin triggers may not be helpful, however, in defining appropriate intraoperative use of packed red blood cells. We sought to define the use of intraoperative packed red blood cells relative to quantitative physiologic factors at the time of operation.

METHODS

Prospective intraoperative data on patients undergoing a major gastrointestinal operation between 2010 and 2014 were analyzed. Risk of intraoperative transfusion was assessed with multivariable extended Cox models using baseline clinical covariates and time-varying intraoperative covariates.

RESULTS

Among 2,316 patients, the mean preoperative hemoglobin was 12.6 g/dL (standard deviation = 2.0 g/dL), while the median estimated blood loss was 200 mL (interquartile range: 100-55 mL). Overall, 357 (15.4%) patients received a transfusion intraoperatively. A greater hazard of transfusion was associated with a greater American Society of Anesthesiologists class (ref: American Society of Anesthesiologists class I-II; American Society of Anesthesiologists class III-IV; hazard ratio = 1.44, 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.77, P < .001), and a lesser preoperative hemoglobin level (per 1 g/dL increase; hazard ratio = 0.70, 95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.74, P < .001). In addition, an increase in heart rate of 10 beats/min above the cumulative average at any measurement was associated with up to a 30% increased probability of transfusion (hazard ratio = 1.30, 95% confidence interval, 1.15-1.47, P < .001); similarly, an increase in mean arterial pressure of 10 mm Hg was associated with an 8% decreased likelihood of transfusion (hazard ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval, 87-0.99, P = .017). In contrast, nadir hemoglobin was not associated with the risk of receiving a transfusion (hazard ratio = 1.10, 95% confidence interval, 0.97-1.23, P = .129). Among patients who received an intraoperative transfusion, 9.2% (n = 33) never had a hemoglobin nadir below 10 g/dL, nor an average mean arterial pressure less than 65 mm Hg or a heart rate greater than 100 beats/min around the time of transfusion.

CONCLUSION

Among the intraoperative factors, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure were strongly associated with the likelihood of receiving a transfusion, despite the observation that 9.2% of patients never had a physiologic indicator for transfusion or a nadir hemoglobin below 10 g/dL, suggesting a subset of patients could benefit from a decrease in intraoperative rate of transfusion.

Perioperative blood transfusion is associated with post-operative infectious complications in patients with Crohn's disease

Background

We have previously demonstrated that blood transfusion (BT) was associated with post-operative complications in patients undergoing surgery for Crohn’s disease (CD), based on our institutional data registry. The aim of this study was to verify the association between perioperative BT and infectious complications in CD patients enrolled in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database.

Methods

All CD patients undergoing surgery between 2005 and 2013 were identified from NSQIP. Variables were defined according to the ACS NSQIP guidelines. The primary outcome was infectious complications, including superficial, deep and organ/space surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, systemic sepsis and septic shock. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess the risk factors for post-operative infections.

Results

All 10 100 eligible patients were included and 611 (6.0%) received perioperative BT. BT patients were older, lighter in weight and more likely to be functionally dependent. BT patients were more likely to have post-operative infectious complications than those without BT, including superficial surgical site infection (SSI) (10.8% vs 7.4%, p=0.002), deep SSI (3.3% vs 1.6%, p=0.003), organ/space SSI (14.2% vs 5.4%, p<0.001), pneumonia (3.8% vs 1.3%, p<0.001), urinary tract infection (3.9% vs 2.2%, p=0.006), sepsis (11.5% vs 4.5%, p<0.001) and sepsis shock (3.1% vs 0.8%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that intra- and/or post-operative BT was an independent risk factor for post-operative infectious complications (odds ratio [OR] = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–2.7; p<0.001) and the risk increased with each administered unit of red blood cell (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.2–1.5). Other independent factors were history of smoking, chronic heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and the use of corticosteroids. Pre-operative BT, however, was not found to be a risk factor to post-operative infections.

Conclusions

Intra- and/or post-operative, not pre-operative, BT was found to be associated with an increased risk for post-operative infectious complications in this CD cohort. Therefore, the timing and risks and benefits of BT should be carefully balanced.

Red blood cell transfusion in surgical cancer patients: Targets, risks, mechanistic understanding and further therapeutic opportunities

Anemia is present in more than half of cancer patients and appears to be an independent prognostic factor of short- and long-term adverse outcomes. It increases in the advanced period of cancer and perioperatively, in patients with solid tumors who undergo surgery. As a result, allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is an indispensable treatment in cancer. However, its safety remains controversial, based on several laboratory and clinical data reporting a linkage with increased risk for cancer recurrence, infection and cancer-related mortality. Immunological, inflammatory and thrombotic reactions mediated by the residual leukocytes and platelets, the stored RBCs per se, the biological response modifiers and the plasticizer of the unit may underlie infection and tumor-promoting effects. Although the causality between transfusion and infection has been established, the effects of transfusion on cancer recurrence remain confusing; this is mainly due to the extreme biological heterogeneity that characterizes RBC donations and cancer context. In fact, the functional interplay between donation-associated factors and recipient characteristics, including tumor biology per se, inflammation, infection, coagulation and immune activation state and competence may synergistically and individually define the clinical impact of each transfusion in any given cancer patient. Our understanding of how the potential risk is mediated is important to make RBC transfusion safer and to pave the way for novel, promising and highly personalized strategies for the treatment of anemia in surgical cancer patients.

Impact of Delta Hemoglobin on Provider Transfusion Practices and Post-operative Morbidity Among Patients Undergoing Liver and Pancreatic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Delta hemoglobin (ΔHb) is defined as the difference between the preoperative Hb and the lowest post-operative Hb level. We sought to define the impact of ΔHb relative to nadir Hb levels on the likelihood of transfusion, as well as characterize the impact of ΔHb and nadir Hb on morbidity among a large cohort of patients undergoing complex hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery.

METHODS

Patients who underwent pancreatic or hepatic resection between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2015 at Johns Hopkins Hospital were identified. Data on the perioperative ΔHb, nadir Hb, as well as blood utilization were obtained and analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with ΔHb and the impact of ΔHb on perioperative morbidity. A Bayesian model was used to evaluate the correlation of ΔHb and nadir Hb with the likelihood of transfusion, as well as the impact on morbidity.

RESULTS

A total of 4363 patients who underwent hepatobiliary (n = 2200, 50.4 %) or pancreatic (n = 2163, 49.6 %) surgery were identified. More than one quarter of patients received at least one unit of packed red blood cells (PRBC) (n = 1187, 27.2 %). The median nadir Hb was 9.2 (IQR 7.9-10.5) g/dL resulting in an average ΔHb of 3.4 mg/dL (IQR 2.2-4.7) corresponding to 26.3 %. Both ΔHb and nadir Hb strongly influenced provider behavior with regards to use of transfusion. Among patients with the same nadir Hb, ΔHb was strongly associated with use of transfusion; among patients who had a nadir Hb ≤6 g/dL, the use of transfusion was only 17.9 % when the ΔHb = 10 % versus 49.1 and 80.9 % when the ΔHb was 30 or 50 %, respectively. Perioperative complications occurred in 584 patients (13.4 %) and were more common among patients with a higher value of ΔHb, as well as patients who received PRBC (both P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of the Hb trigger with ΔHb was associated with transfusion practices among providers. Larger ΔHb values, as well as receipt of transfusion, were strongly associated with risk of perioperative complication following HPB surgery.

Improvement of the Surgical Apgar Score by Addition of Intraoperative Blood Transfusion Among Patients Undergoing Major Gastrointestinal Surgery

BACKGROUND

The surgical Apgar score (SAS) has been shown to correlate with postoperative outcomes. A key component of the SAS is estimated blood loss (EBL), which has been shown to be inaccurate and discordant with intraoperative blood transfusion. Given this, the objective of the current study was to assess the added predictive value of the including receipt of intraoperative transfusion to the SAS.

METHODS

We identified 1833 patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery (pancreatic, hepato-biliary, and colorectal) between January 1, 2010 and August 31, 2013 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The primary outcome was postoperative complications or death. A modified SAS was created by assigning a "0" EBL score for every patient who received an intraoperative blood transfusion, regardless of the actual EBL. Model performance was tested using logistic regression and c-statistic.

RESULTS

Mean EBL of the entire cohort was 250 mL. Two hundred ninety-two patients (15.9 %) received at least 1 unit of blood intraoperatively. Approximately, one half of patients (55.1 %) who had an EBL <1000 mL received an intraoperative transfusion. Patients who received an intraoperative transfusion (transfusion n = 94, 32.2 % vs. no transfusion n = 221, 14.3 %; P < 0.001) and those with increasing EBL had a higher incidence of postoperative morbidity and/or death (≤100 mL: 11.6 %, 101-600 mL: 16.9 %, 601-1000 mL: 24.5 %, >1000 mL: 29.2 %; P < 0.001). The variance inflation factor between EBL and intraoperative transfusion was 1.23 for postoperative morbidity/mortality, suggesting that the multicollinearity between the two variables was low. With the inclusion of intraoperative transfusion in the modified SAS, the modified model (c-statistic 0.6552) had an improved discrimination of predicting postoperative morbidity and mortality as compared to the original SAS (c-statistic 0.6391) (P = 0.01). The modified SAS demonstrated improvement in predicting raw differences in the incidence of postoperative morbidity/mortality based on the overall score (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The inclusion of intraoperative transfusion in a modified SAS significantly improves the risk-stratifying ability of the score with regard to postoperative morbidity and mortality. Given the variability of intraoperative transfusion, its discordance with EBL, and its strong negative impact on postoperative outcomes, we strongly support the inclusion of this factor in a modified SAS.

Red blood cell use in Switzerland: trends and demographic challenges

BACKGROUND

Several studies have raised concerns that future demand for blood products may not be met. The ageing of the general population and the fact that a large proportion of blood products is transfused to elderly patients has been identified as an important driver of blood shortages. The aim of this study was to collect, for the first time, nationally representative data regarding blood donors and transfusion recipients in order to predict the future evolution of blood donations and red blood cell (RBC) use in Switzerland between 2014 and 2035.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Blood donor and transfusion recipient data, subdivided by the subjects' age and gender were obtained from Regional Blood Services and nine large, acute-care hospitals in various regions of Switzerland. Generalised additive regression models and time-series models with exponential smoothing were employed to estimate trends of whole blood donations and RBC transfusions.

RESULTS

The trend models employed suggested that RBC demand could equal supply by 2018 and could eventually cause an increasing shortfall of up to 77,000 RBC units by 2035.

DISCUSSION

Our study highlights the need for continuous monitoring of trends of blood donations and blood transfusions in order to take proactive measures aimed at preventing blood shortages in Switzerland. Measures should be taken to improve donor retention in order to prevent a further erosion of the blood donor base.

Impact of Transfusion on Cancer Growth and Outcome

For many years, transfusion of allogeneic red blood cells, platelet concentrates, and plasma units has been part of the standard therapeutic arsenal used along the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of patients with malignancies. Although the benefits of these blood products are not a matter of debate in specific pathological conditions associated with life-threatening low blood cell counts or bleeding, increasing clinical evidence is nevertheless suggesting that deliberate transfusion of these blood components may actually lead to negative clinical outcomes by affecting patient’s immune defense, stimulating tumor growth, tethering, and dissemination. Rigorous preclinical and clinical studies are needed to dimension the clinical relevance, benefits, and risks of transfusion of blood components in cancer patients and understand the amplitude of problems. There is also a need to consider validating preparation methods of blood components for so far ignored biological markers, such as microparticles and biological response modifiers. Meanwhile, blood component transfusions should be regarded as a personalized medicine, taking into careful consideration the status and specificities of the patient, rather than as a routine hospital procedure.