Effects of red blood cell transfusion on patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Queensland – a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background Packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion is a relatively safe and mainstay treatment commonly used in cardiac surgical patients. However, there is limited evidence on clinical effects of transfusing blood nearing end-of shelf life that has undergone biochemical changes during storage. Objective To investigate evidence of associations between morbidity/mortality and transfusion of blood near end of shelf-life (> 35 days) in cardiac surgical patients. Methods Data from the Queensland Health Admitted Patient Data Collection database 2007–2013 was retrospectively analysed. Coronary artery bypass graft and valvular repair patients were included. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the effect of pRBC age ( 4) were supported.

Keywords

• Red blood cell transfusion
• Cardiac surgery
• Age of packed red blood cells
• Storage lesion