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Transfusion of 1 and 2 Units of Red Blood Cells Is Associated With Increased Morbidity and Mortality

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Submitted by

Source

Source Name: Annals of Thoracic Surgery

Source URL: http://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-4975%2813%2901629-9/abstract

Author(s)

Gaetano Paone, Donald S. Likosky, Robert Brewer, Patricia F. Theurer,Gail F. Bell, Chad M. Cogan, Richard L. Prager, Membership of the Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons

The effect of blood transfusion (Tx; 1-2 units only) on mortality after isolated CABG was evaluated in nearly 17,000 pts in Michigan. Operative mortality was 0.5% for no Tx and 1.3% for Tx (p<0.0001). Nine other adverse postoperative outcomes were significantly increased in pts receiving Tx. Aggressive attempts at reducing even small Tx amounts may result in substantial outcomes improvement.