Xavier Chapalain1, Yves Ozier1, Catherine Le Niger2, Zoe McQuilten3, Olivier Huet1, Cécile Aubron3,4. 1. Department of Anaesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Brest - Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France. 2. Haemovigilance Unit, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Brest, Brest, France. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. 4. Medical Intensive Care Unit, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Brest - Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Equipoise remains on the optimal transfusion strategy in surgical oncologic patients. The primary objective of our study was to determine the impact of anaemia and red blood cells (RBCs) transfusion on severe postoperative complications in surgical oncologic critically ill patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective single-centre study. Adults admitted to intensive care unit after major oncologic surgery were eligible. Analyses to determine the independent risk factors, including anaemia or RBC transfusion, for postoperative complications and/or hospital mortality were performed. RESULTS: Of the 283 patients included, 246 patients (86.9%) had anaemia. Fifty-five patients (19·4%) were transfused. Patients exposed to moderate-to-severe anaemia or RBC transfusion had more often severe complications, especially acute kidney injury and infectious complications. Multivariate analysis found an independent association between moderate and severe anaemia and severe postoperative complications (moderate anaemia: OR 14·02 [2·52-264]; severe anaemia: OR 16·25 [2·62-318·5]; P < 0·05). Elderly, obese patients and patients operated from abdominal surgery appeared to be more vulnerable to anaemia than other patients. Transfusion was also an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (OR 4·19 [2·12-8·39]; P < 0·001). When considering moderate-to-severe anaemic patients, RBC transfusion was no longer associated with postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Anaemia was associated with severe postoperative complications, and this association was stronger in elderly, obese patients and after abdominal surgery. RBC transfusion also negatively impacts on patients' prognosis. However, this association was not found in case of moderate-to-severe anaemia exposure (haemoglobin < 10 g/dl).
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Equipoise remains on the optimal transfusion strategy in surgical oncologic patients. The primary objective of our study was to determine the impact of anaemia and red blood cells (RBCs) transfusion on severe postoperative complications in surgical oncologic critically illpatients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective single-centre study. Adults admitted to intensive care unit after major oncologic surgery were eligible. Analyses to determine the independent risk factors, including anaemia or RBC transfusion, for postoperative complications and/or hospital mortality were performed. RESULTS: Of the 283 patients included, 246 patients (86.9%) had anaemia. Fifty-five patients (19·4%) were transfused. Patients exposed to moderate-to-severe anaemia or RBC transfusion had more often severe complications, especially acute kidney injury and infectious complications. Multivariate analysis found an independent association between moderate and severe anaemia and severe postoperative complications (moderate anaemia: OR 14·02 [2·52-264]; severe anaemia: OR 16·25 [2·62-318·5]; P < 0·05). Elderly, obesepatients and patients operated from abdominal surgery appeared to be more vulnerable to anaemia than other patients. Transfusion was also an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (OR 4·19 [2·12-8·39]; P < 0·001). When considering moderate-to-severe anaemic patients, RBC transfusion was no longer associated with postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS:Anaemia was associated with severe postoperative complications, and this association was stronger in elderly, obesepatients and after abdominal surgery. RBC transfusion also negatively impacts on patients' prognosis. However, this association was not found in case of moderate-to-severe anaemia exposure (haemoglobin < 10 g/dl).