Blood transfusion requirements in lower limb arthroplasties might be dramatically reduced if orthopaedic surgeons were concerned about preoperative anaemia

Blood management protocol for baseline anemic patients undergoing hip arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION

Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) with preoperative anemia are at higher risk for transfusion. Blood-conserving interventions can reduce perioperative transfusions. This retrospective study evaluates the efficacy and safety of a patient blood management (PBM) protocol in elective primary THA patients with preoperative anemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed data from a prospectively collected database of THAs performed consecutively from January 2013 to October 2023. The patients were grouped based on baseline hemoglobin (Hb) levels, as follows: <12 g/dL (group 1) and ≥ 12 g/dL (group 2). The PBM protocol included optimized preoperative epoetin (EPO) for Hb < 11 g/dL, bleeding reduction measures, and restrictive transfusion thresholds. Blood loss was measured using a bleeding index (BI-7), accounting for Hb decrease from admission to the 7th postoperative day and total transfused units. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the differences in BI-7.

RESULTS

Of the 1,442 patients, 104 (7%) had Hb < 12 g/dL (group 1). Among these, 46 (45%) received EPO, with none requiring transfusion in the first week. The mean adjusted BI-7 was 2.3 g/dL (95% CI, 2.1 to 2.6) in group 1 and 2.7 g/dL (95% CI, 2.6 to 2.7) in group 2, showing a significant difference (-0.4 g/dL; 95% CI, -0.6 to -0.1; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

THA patients with baseline Hb < 12 g/dL had a zero-transfusion rate and significantly lower blood loss than those with Hb ≥ 12 g/dL. Optimizing preoperative Hb levels above 12 g/dL is not necessary for patients undergoing standard THA. Optimizing preoperative Hb may not be necessary for patients with baseline anemia due to their low blood loss. The PBM protocol was effective in conserving blood, time, and resources, offering a viable alternative for blood conservation in elective hip arthroplasty.

Prevalence and risk factors of preoperative anemia in patients undergoing elective orthopedic procedures in Northwest Ethiopia: a multicenter prospective observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Preoperative anemia is a common hematologic problem in major orthopedic surgery in developing countries. It is a condition in which the number and size of red blood cells are insufficient to meet the body's physiologic needs, consequently impairing the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen to the body. Preoperative anemia is common in elective orthopedic surgical patients and is an independent risk factor for perioperative morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess preoperative anemia prevalence and risk factors in patients undergoing elective orthopedic procedures.

METHOD

A multicenter prospective observational cohort study was conducted from June 01 to August 30, 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study unit. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were expressed in percentages and presented with tables and figures. Binary logistic regression was used to see the association between independent and dependent variables. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULT

Preoperative anemia's prevalence and risk factors in patients undergoing elective orthopedic procedures was 24.1[95%CI= (18.2-30.6)]. Multivariable logistic analyses showed that low monthly income level [AOR:5,95%CI:(1.36-7.98)], patient with cancer [AOR:3.4,95%CI:(3.7-8.84)], patient with malaria infectious [AOR: 3.2,95%CI:( 1.13-8.91)], patient with anti-retroviral therapy [AOR: 5.2,95%CI:( 1.8-11.04)], and previous history of surgery [AOR:1,95%CI(1.43-2.4)], were factors significantly associated with preoperative anemia.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of preoperative anemia among adult patients who underwent elective orthopedics procedures was high. Low Monthly income, patients with cancer, patient with malaria infection, and patients with anti-retroviral therapy, previous histories of surgery were found significantly associated with preoperative anemia. So, we recommend to health professional's early identification, diagnosis and treatment of preoperative anemia should be done to reduce the risks of anemia and related adverse outcomes.