National trends in the utilization of blood transfusions in total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are among the most common surgical procedures that necessitate blood transfusion. The purpose of this study was to examine the trends in the utilization of blood transfusions in THA and TKA in the US from 2000 to 2009 by analyzing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). During the last decade, the allogeneic blood transfusion (ALBT) rate increased (THA: 11.2% to 19.1%, TKA: 7.7% to 12.4%), whereas the predonated autologous blood transfusion (PR-ABT) rate decreased (THA: 7.7% to 3.9%, TKA: 6.1% to 2.4%) in primary unilateral THA and TKA patients in US hospitals. Overall blood transfusion rates remained stable over time in primary unilateral THA and TKA patients.