Transfusion Frequency of Red Blood Cells, Fresh Frozen Plasma, and Platelets During Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm Surgery

Health care-associated infections after surgical treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is catastrophic, and microsurgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms is one of the preventive modalities for rebleeding. However, patients remain at high risk of medical morbidities after surgery, one of the most important of which is health care-associated infections (HAIs). We analyzed the incidence and risk factors of HAIs, as well as their association with the outcomes after surgical treatment of ruptured aneurysms.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 607 patients with SAH who had undergone surgery for intracranial aneurysms. Information was retrieved from the database using codes of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification.

RESULTS

Of the 607 patients, 203 were male and 404 were female. HAIs occurred in 113 patients, accounting for 18.6 % of the population. The independent risk factors for HAIs included age ((p = 0.035), hypertension ((p = 0.042), convulsion ((p = 0.023), external ventricular drain ((p = 0.035), ventricular shunt ((p = 0.033), and blood transfusion ((p = 0.001). The mean length of hospital stay was 25.3 ± 18.2 and 18.8 ± 15.3 days for patients with and without HAIs, respectively ((p = 0.001). The in-hospital mortality rates were 11.5 % in the HAIs group, and 14.0 % in the non-HAIs group ((p = 0.490).

CONCLUSION

HAIs are a frequent complication in patients with SAH who underwent surgery for ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The length of hospital stay is remarkably longer for patients with HAIs, and to recognize and reduce the modifiable risks should be implemented to improve the quality of patient care.

Management of severe peri-operative bleeding: Guidelines from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care: Second update 2022

BACKGROUND

Management of peri-operative bleeding is complex and involves multiple assessment tools and strategies to ensure optimal patient care with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality. These updated guidelines from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) aim to provide an evidence-based set of recommendations for healthcare professionals to help ensure improved clinical management.

DESIGN

A systematic literature search from 2015 to 2021 of several electronic databases was performed without language restrictions. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies and to formulate recommendations. A Delphi methodology was used to prepare a clinical practice guideline.

RESULTS

These searches identified 137 999 articles. All articles were assessed, and the existing 2017 guidelines were revised to incorporate new evidence. Sixteen recommendations derived from the systematic literature search, and four clinical guidances retained from previous ESAIC guidelines were formulated. Using the Delphi process on 253 sentences of guidance, strong consensus (>90% agreement) was achieved in 97% and consensus (75 to 90% agreement) in 3%.

DISCUSSION

Peri-operative bleeding management encompasses the patient's journey from the pre-operative state through the postoperative period. Along this journey, many features of the patient's pre-operative coagulation status, underlying comorbidities, general health and the procedures that they are undergoing need to be taken into account. Due to the many important aspects in peri-operative nontrauma bleeding management, guidance as to how best approach and treat each individual patient are key. Understanding which therapeutic approaches are most valuable at each timepoint can only enhance patient care, ensuring the best outcomes by reducing blood loss and, therefore, overall morbidity and mortality.

CONCLUSION

All healthcare professionals involved in the management of patients at risk for surgical bleeding should be aware of the current therapeutic options and approaches that are available to them. These guidelines aim to provide specific guidance for bleeding management in a variety of clinical situations.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of outcome-relevant anemia in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

Anemia is a common, treatable condition in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and has been associated with poor outcome. As there are still no guidelines for anemia management after aneurysm rupture, we aimed to identify outcome-relevant severity of anemia in SAH. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for publications before Oct 23rd, 2022, reporting on anemia in SAH patients. The presence and severity of anemia were assessed according to the reported hemoglobin values and/or institutional thresholds for red blood cells transfusion (RBCT). Out of 1863 original records, 40 full-text articles with a total of 14,701 patients treated between 1996 and 2020 were included in the final analysis (mean 445.48 patients per study). A substantial portion of patients developed anemia during SAH (mean pooled prevalence 40.76%, range 28.3-82.6%). RBCT was administered in a third of the cases (mean 32.07%, range 7.8-88.6%), with institutional threshold varying from 7.00 to 10.00 g/dL (mean 8.5 g/dL). Anemia at the onset of SAH showed no impact on SAH outcome. In contrast, even slight anemia (nadir hemoglobin < 11.0-11.5 g/dL) occurring during SAH was associated with the risk of cerebral infarction and poor outcome at discharge and follow-up. The strongest association with SAH outcome was observed for nadir hemoglobin values ranging between 9.0 and 10.0 g/dL. The effect of anemia on SAH mortality was marginal. The development of anemia during SAH is associated with the risk of cerebral infarction and poor outcome at discharge and follow-up. Outcome-relevant severity of post-SAH anemia begins at hemoglobin levels clearly above the thresholds commonly set for RBCT. Our findings underline the need for further studies to define the optimal management of anemia in SAH patients.

Impact of Anemia Severity on the Outcome of an Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Objective: Previous reports indicate a negative impact of anemia on the outcome of an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We aimed to identify the outcome-relevant severity of post-SAH anemia. Methods: SAH cases treated at our institution between 01/2005 and 06/2016 were included (n = 640). The onset, duration, and severity (nadir hemoglobin (nHB) level) of anemia during the initial hospital stay were recorded. Study endpoints were new cerebral infarctions, a poor outcome six months post-SAH (modified Rankin scale > 3), and in-hospital mortality. To assess independent associations with the study endpoints, different multivariable regression models were performed, adjusted for relevant patient and baseline SAH characteristics as well as anemia-associated clinical events during the SAH. Results: The rates of anemia were 83.3%, 67.7%, 40.0%, 15.9%, and 4.5% for an nHB < 11 g/dL, < 10 g/dL, < 9 g/dL, < 8 g/dL, and < 7 g/dL, respectively. The higher the anemia severity, the later was the onset (post-SAH days 2, 4, 5.4, 7.6 and 8, p < 0.0001) and the shorter the duration (8 days, 6 days, 4 days, 3 days, and 2 days, p < 0.0001) of anemia. In the final multivariable analysis, only an nHB < 9 g/dL was independently associated with all study endpoints: adjusted odds ratio 1.7/3.22/2.44 for cerebral infarctions/in-hospital mortality/poor outcome. The timing (post-SAH day 3.9 vs. 6, p = 0.001) and duration (3 vs. 5 days, p = 0.041) of anemia with an nHB < 9 g/dL showed inverse associations with the risk of in-hospital mortality, but not with other study endpoints. Conclusions: Anemia is very common in SAH patients affecting four of five individuals during their hospital stay. An nHB decline to < 9 g/dL was strongly associated with all study endpoints, independent of baseline characteristics and SAH-related clinical events. Our data encourage further prospective evaluations of the value of different transfusion strategies in the functional outcomes of SAH patients.

Preanesthetic Evaluation and Preparation for Neurosurgical Procedures: An Indian Perspective

Background A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to determine the preanesthetic evaluation (PAE) practices among the members of the Indian Society of Neuroanesthesiology and Critical Care (ISNACC). The survey aimed to assess the current clinical practice of PAE and optimization of neurosurgical patients in India.

Methods An online questionnaire was designed by the working group of ISNACC and circulated among its active members. Response to individual questions was considered significant if 50% or more respondents concurred. The survey questions to which less than 50% of respondents concurred were identified as inconclusive results.

Results Out of 438 active ISNACC members, 218 responded. Responses were obtained from various parts of the country. The majority of participants were practicing neuroanesthesiology. Questions asked were regarding clinical assessment, preoperative optimization, prognostication, and airway management in neurosurgery. More than 50% of practitioners acceded to most of the questions; however, the percentage of responses varied across different questions (50–100%). The questions related to preoperative duplex scanning in chronically immobilized patients, preoperative cognitive testing, and risk stratification during neurosurgical procedures received an inconclusive response (< 50%).

Conclusion The survey highlights the variable PAE practices perused by ISNACC members across the country. A guideline for uniform PAE practices may help to enhance research and improve perioperative care.

Predictors of Blood Transfusion for Endoscopic Assisted Craniosynostosis Surgery

ABSTRACT

Blood loss is a main cause of morbidity after craniofacial procedures. The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence and predictors for transfusion of blood products in the endoscopic assisted strip craniectomy population. Data was prospectively collected from a single-center multi-surgeon cohort of 78 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic assisted strip craniectomy for craniosynostosis between July 2013 and December 2020. The authors reviewed patient and treatment characteristics and outcomes. Of the 78 patients, 26 patients were transfused yielding an overall rate of transfusion of 33%. The most common fused suture was sagittal (n = 42, 54%) followed by metopic (n = 15, 19%), multiple (n = 10, 13%), coronal (n = 7, 9%) and finally lambdoid (n = 4, 5%). On univariate analysis, patients' weight in the transfusion cohort were significantly lower than those who did not receive a transfusion (5.6 ± 1.1 versus 6.5 ± 1.1 kg, P = 0.0008). The transfusion group also had significantly lower preoperative hemoglobin compared to the non-transfusion group (10.6 versus 11.1, P = .049). Eleven percent patients admitted to step-down received a transfusion, whereas 39% of patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit received a transfusion (P = 0.042). On multivariate analysis, only higher patient weight (operating room [OR] 0.305 [0.134, 0.693], P = 0.005) was protective against a transfusion, whereas colloid volume (OR 1.018 [1.003, 1.033], P = 0.019) predicted the need for a transfusion. Our results demonstrate that endoscopic craniosynostosis cases carry a moderate risk of transfusion. Individuals with lower weight and those that receive colloid volume are also at elevated risk.

Efficacy of Intraoperative Blood Salvage in Cerebral Aneurysm Surgery

Background. The use and effectiveness of intraoperative cell salvage has been analyzed in many surgical specialties. Until now, no data exist evaluating the efficacy of intraoperative cell salvage in cerebral aneurysm surgery. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and cost effectiveness of intraoperative cell salvage in cerebral aneurysm surgery. Methods. Data were collected retrospectively for all the patients who underwent cerebral aneurysm surgery at our institution between 2013 and 2019. Routinely, we apply blood salvage through autotransfusion. The cases were divided into a ruptured cerebral aneurysm group and a unruptured cerebral aneurysm group. Results. A total of 241 patients underwent cerebral aneurysm clipping. Of all the cerebral aneurysms, 116 were ruptured and 125 were unruptured and clipped electively. Age, location of the aneurysm, postoperative red blood cell count, intraoperative blood loss, and number of allogenic blood cell transfusions were statistically significantly different between the groups. The autotransfusion of salvaged blood could only be facilitated in eight cases with ruptured cerebral aneurysms and in none with unruptured cerebral aneurysms clipped electively (p < 0.01). Additionally, 35 patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms and one patient with unruptured cerebral aneurysm required allogenic red blood cell transfusion after surgery, and 71 vs. 2 units of blood were transfused (p < 0.0001). In terms of cost effectiveness, a total of EUR 45,189 in 241 patients was spent to run the autotransfusion system, while EUR 13,797 was spent for allogenic blood transfusion. Conclusions. The use of cell salvage in patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysm, undergoing elective surgery, is not effective.

Adverse intraoperative events during surgical repair of ruptured cerebral aneurysms: a systematic review

Compared with endovascular techniques, clipping of ruptured cerebral aneurysms has been shown to associate with increased morbidity in several studies. Despite this, clipping remains the preferred option for many aneurysms. The objective of this study is to describe the reported adverse events of open repair of ruptured cerebral aneurysms and their impact on patient outcome. The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched between June 1999 and June 2019 to identify original studies of at least 100 patients undergoing surgical repair of ruptured cerebral aneurysms and in which adverse event rates were reported. Thirty-six studies reporting adverse events in a total of 12,410 operations for repair of ruptured cerebral aneurysms were included. Surgical adverse events were common with 36 event types reported including intraoperative rupture (median rate of 16.6%), arterial injury (median rate of 3.8%) and brain swelling (median rate 5.6%). Only 6 surgical events were statistically shown to associate with poor outcomes by any author and for intraoperative rupture (the most frequently analysed), there was an even split between authors finding a statistical association with poor outcome and those finding no association. Even with modern surgical techniques, the technical demands of surgical aneurysm repair continue to lead to a high rate of intraoperative adverse events. Despite this, it is not known which of these intraoperative events are the most important contributors to the poor outcomes often seen in these patients. More research directed towards identifying the events that most drive operative morbidity has the potential to improve outcomes for these patients.

Anaemia and red blood cell transfusion in intracranial neurosurgery: a comprehensive review

Both anaemia and blood transfusion are associated with poor outcomes in the neurosurgical population. Based on the available literature, the optimal haemoglobin concentration for neurologically injured patients appears to be in the range of 9.0-10.0 g dl^-1, although the individual risks and benefits should be weighed. Several perioperative blood conservation strategies have been used successfully in neurosurgery, including correction of anaemia and coagulopathy, use of antifibrinolytics, and intraoperative cell salvage. Avoidance of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and starch-containing solutions is recommended given the potential for platelet dysfunction.

Fatal Colloid Cysts: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To accurately describe patient characteristics and the clinical presentation of fatal colloid cysts.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of 3 popular databases was performed. Inclusion criteria were individuals with sudden-onset death and colloid cysts identified on imaging and/or autopsy. The cause of death must have been ascribed to the colloid cyst to be eligible for data extraction. Deaths precipitated by lumbar puncture were excluded. Clinical data were extracted and descriptive statistics were ascertained. Subgroup analyses were performed to compare adults with pediatric patients.

RESULTS

A total of 107 patients were included in the quantitative synthesis. The mean age was 28.5 years (standard deviation 13.3, range 6-79 years). Male and female patients were affected equally. Headache was the most frequent symptom (n = 86, 80%). There were 6 patients (5 adults and 1 child) who reported positional headaches. The mean duration of signs and symptoms was shorter in adults versus pediatric patients (2.1 days vs. 6.5 days, P = 0.02), and more adults presented with signs and symptoms for less than 24 hours than did pediatric patients (38% vs. 6%, P = 0.01). Colloid cyst mean diameter was 2.0 cm (standard deviation 1.1, range 0.5-7.9 cm) and 96% measured 1 cm or larger.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggests that the prodrome preceding sudden death in the setting of a colloid cyst may be shorter in adults. Also, most fatal colloid cysts measured 1 cm or larger.

Blood transfusion indications in neurosurgical patients: A systematic review

Neurosurgical procedures can be complicated by significant blood losses that have the potential to decrease tissue perfusion to critical brain tissue. Red blood cell transfusion is used in a variety of capacities both inside, and outside, of the operating room to prevent untoward neurologic damage. However, evidence-based guidelines concerning thresholds and indications for transfusion in neurosurgery remain limited. Consequently, transfusion practices in neurosurgical patients are highly variable and based on institutional experiences. Recently, a paradigm shift has occurred in neurocritical intensive care units, whereby restrictive transfusion is increasingly favored over liberal transfusion but the ideal strategy remains in clinical equipoise. The authors of this study perform a systematic review of the literature with the objective of capturing the changing landscape of blood transfusion indications in neurosurgical patients.

Factors associated with blood transfusion during intracranial aneurysm surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with intraoperative blood transfusions in patients presenting for intracranial aneurysm surgery in the current era of more restrictive transfusion guidelines.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort study with stepwise, multivariate binary logistic regression analysis.

SETTING

Tertiary care university teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Four hundred seventy-one consecutive patients undergoing intracranial aneurysm surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, IL) from 2006 to 2012.

INTERVENTION

Red blood cell transfusion (retrospective observational).

MEASUREMENTS

Demographic data, medical comorbidities, hemoglobin levels, Hunt-Hess grades, intracranial aneurysm characteristics, presenting intracranial bleeding states, estimated blood losses, transfused red blood cells, and blood products.

MAIN RESULTS

Forty-six patients (9.5%) received intraoperative red blood cell transfusions. Preoperative risk factors associated with transfusions were highly related to aneurysm rupture, including such parameters as older age (P < .001), lower presenting hemoglobin level (P < .001), preoperative rupture (P < .001), and higher Hunt-Hess grade (P < .001). Intraoperative risk factors included larger aneurysm size (>10 mm; P = .03), intraventricular hemorrhage (P < .001), and intracerebral hematoma evacuation (P = .02). Binary logistic regression modeling identified age (P < .001), presenting hemoglobin level (P < .001), larger aneurysm size (>10 mm; P = .003), elevated Hunt-Hess grade (P = .021), and intraoperative rupture (P = .013) as independent predictors of intraoperative red blood cell transfusion.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of intraoperative red blood cell transfusion in intracranial aneurysm surgery in our patient cohort was 9.5%, and the most significant factors associated with transfusion were presenting hemoglobin level less than 11.7 g/dL and age greater than 52 years. It would seem advisable that these patients undergo routine type and cross-matching of red blood cells before intracranial aneurysm surgery.