ABO blood type does not influence the risk of cardiovascular complications and mortality after vascular surgery

Thrombotic complications are common in vascular surgery patients. Non-O blood types are associated with an increased risk of thrombo-embolic diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the prognostic implications of non-O vs. O blood type regarding 30-day cardiovascular events and long-term mortality after vascular surgery.

The population of this retrospective cohort study consisted of 4679 patients undergoing elective major vascular surgery between the years 1990 and 2011. Baseline characteristics, ABO blood type and follow-up were obtained. Multivariable regression analyses, adjusted for age, gender, medical history, medication and smoking were used to evaluate the impact of non-O blood type on 30-day cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke) and long-term mortality.

Non-O blood type was present in 2627 (56%) patients. Within 30 days after surgery, 129 (4.9%) non-O and 112 (5.5%) O patients suffered a cardiovascular event (P = 0.42). Non-O blood type was not associated with increased mortality during long-term follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-1.04, with a median follow-up of 4 years). Anti-platelet and anticoagulant drugs did not interact with the relationship between ABO blood type and long-term outcome.

Non-O blood type is not associated with either 30-day cardiovascular complications or long-term mortality in vascular surgery patients.