Morris FJD, Fung YL, Craswell A, Chew MS. Outcomes following perioperative red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Br J Anaesth 2023;
131:1002-1013. [PMID:
37741720 DOI:
10.1016/j.bja.2023.08.032]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Perioperative red blood cell transfusion is a double-edged sword for surgical patients. While transfusion of red cells can increase oxygen delivery by increasing haemoglobin levels, its impact on short- and long-term postoperative outcomes, particularly in patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery, is unclear.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of perioperative blood transfusions on postoperative outcomes in elective major abdominal surgery. PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were searched for studies with data collected between January 1, 2000 and June 6, 2020. The primary outcome was short-term mortality, including all-cause 30-day or in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included long-term all-cause mortality, any morbidity, infectious complications, overall survival, and recurrence-free survival. No randomised controlled trials were found. Thirty-nine observational studies were identified, of which 37 were included in the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Perioperative blood transfusion was associated with short-term all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR] 2.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.89-3.91, P<0.001), long-term all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.09-1.67, P=0.007), any morbidity (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.81-2.64, P<0.001), and infectious complications (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.60-2.26, P<0.001). Perioperative blood transfusion remained associated with short-term mortality in the sensitivity analysis after excluding studies that did not control for preoperative anaemia (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.59-3.24, P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Perioperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery is associated with poorer short- and long-term postoperative outcomes. This highlights the need to implement patient blood management strategies to manage and preserve the patient's own blood and reduce the need for red blood cell transfusion.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO (CRD42021254360).
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