Risks associated with perioperative anaemia and perioperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing neurosurgical...

To investigate the prevalence of preoperative anaemia and the risks associated with perioperative anaemia and blood transfusion in patients who underwent neurological surgery.

Perioperative anaemia has an important impact on neurosurgery patients. The prevalence and risks of perioperative anaemia and blood transfusion in Chinese patients are still unknown.

Logistic regression was used to predict adverse outcomes of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and different levels of anaemia. Anaemia and transfusion were compared as independent variables by using a 1:1 match on propensity score.

The prevalence of preoperative anaemia in neurosurgical patients was 20.05%; 10.33% patients received RBC transfusion. Perioperative RBC and plasma transfusion rates (P < .001) and average hospital costs (P = .0365) were higher in preoperative moderate-to-severe anaemia patients than in no anaemia patients. Perioperative RBC transfusion patients had longer hospital length of stay (LOS) (P < .001) and higher average hospital costs (P < .001) than no-transfusion patients. The rates of return to the operating room (OR) within 30 days and intensive care unit stay did not demonstrate any significant difference in anaemia and transfusion cohorts, respectively.

The status of preoperative anaemia in Chinese neurosurgical patients is associated with increased transfusion rates and hospital costs. Perioperative RBC transfusion is associated with increased length and cost of hospitalisation.