Risk Factors of Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Isolate off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Eui Suk Chung1, Kay-Hyun Park, Cheong Lim

  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Korea.

Insights

Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery can reduce red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Identifying risk factors like low hematocrit and clopidogrel use can further minimize transfusions, improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Transfusion Medicine
  • Anesthesiology

Background:

  • Perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is associated with adverse outcomes.
  • Bloodless cardiac surgery, including off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB), is gaining attention to mitigate transfusion risks.
  • Risk factors for RBC transfusion in OPCAB procedures require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify patient- and surgical-specific risk factors for RBC transfusion during OPCAB.
  • To evaluate the impact of RBC transfusion on clinical outcomes in OPCAB patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 113 patients undergoing isolated OPCAB.
  • Transfusion threshold set at 28.0% hematocrit.
  • Multivariate analysis to determine risk factors for RBC transfusion.

Main Results:

  • 47.5% of patients received RBC transfusion (mean 2.2±3.2 units).
  • No significant difference in mortality or major complications between transfusion and no-transfusion groups.
  • No-transfusion group showed reduced ventilator support, ICU stay, and hospitalization (p<0.05).
  • Preoperative low hematocrit (<37.5%) and clopidogrel use were patient risk factors.
  • Longer graft harvesting (>75 min) and total operation time (>5.5 hours) were surgical risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • OPCAB can be performed without transfusion in over 40% of cases, adhering to transfusion guidelines.
  • Major clinical outcomes were comparable between transfusion and non-transfusion groups.
  • Understanding and addressing identified risk factors can increase the proportion of OPCAB patients avoiding transfusion.
Abstract