Laura Baker1, Sean Bennett1, Janelle Rekman2, Aklile Workneh1, Christopher Wherrett3, Jad Abou-Khalil2, Kimberly A Bertens2, Fady K Balaa2, Guillaume Martel4. 1. Liver and Pancreas Unit, Department of Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada. 2. Liver and Pancreas Unit, Department of Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. 3. Department of Anesthesiology, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. 4. Liver and Pancreas Unit, Department of Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada. Electronic address: gumartel@ottawahospital.on.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is associated with poor outcomes in liver surgery. Hypovolemic phlebotomy (HP) is a novel intervention hypothesized to decrease transfusion requirements. The objective of this study was to examine this hypothesis. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent liver resection at one institution (2010-2016) were included. Factors found to be predictive of transfusion on univariate analysis and those previously published were modeled using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 361 patients underwent liver resection (50% major). HP was performed in 45 patients. Phlebotomized patients had a greater proportion of primary malignancy (31% vs 18%) and major resection (84% vs 45%). Blood loss was significantly lower with phlebotomy in major resections (400 vs 700 mL). Nadir central venous pressure was significantly lower with HP (2.5 vs 5 cm H2O). On multivariate logistic regression, HP (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.068-0.57, p = 0.0029), major liver resection (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.64-5.18, p = 0.0003), preoperative hemoglobin < 125 g/L (OR 6.02, 95% CI 3.44-10.56, p < 0.0001), and underlying liver disease (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.27-3.95, p = 0.0051) were significantly associated with perioperative RBC transfusion. CONCLUSION: Hypovolemic phlebotomy appears to be strongly associated with a reduction in RBC transfusion requirements in liver resection, independent of other known risk factors.
BACKGROUND: Perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is associated with poor outcomes in liver surgery. Hypovolemic phlebotomy (HP) is a novel intervention hypothesized to decrease transfusion requirements. The objective of this study was to examine this hypothesis. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent liver resection at one institution (2010-2016) were included. Factors found to be predictive of transfusion on univariate analysis and those previously published were modeled using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 361 patients underwent liver resection (50% major). HP was performed in 45 patients. Phlebotomized patients had a greater proportion of primary malignancy (31% vs 18%) and major resection (84% vs 45%). Blood loss was significantly lower with phlebotomy in major resections (400 vs 700 mL). Nadir central venous pressure was significantly lower with HP (2.5 vs 5 cm H2O). On multivariate logistic regression, HP (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.068-0.57, p = 0.0029), major liver resection (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.64-5.18, p = 0.0003), preoperative hemoglobin < 125 g/L (OR 6.02, 95% CI 3.44-10.56, p < 0.0001), and underlying liver disease (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.27-3.95, p = 0.0051) were significantly associated with perioperative RBC transfusion. CONCLUSION: Hypovolemic phlebotomy appears to be strongly associated with a reduction in RBC transfusion requirements in liver resection, independent of other known risk factors.