Early postoperative bleeding impacts long-term survival following first-time on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Significant bleeding following cardiac surgery is a recognised complication, associated with a requirement for re-exploration and blood transfusion, both associated with increased morbidity and early mortality. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the volume of early postoperative bleeding on long-term survival for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

A retrospective analysis was performed of patients undergoing first-time isolated CABG at a single centre between January 2003 and April 2013, conditional from 30-day survival.

Six thousand two hundred and sixty-five patients were analysed, with a mean Logistic EuroSCORE of 4.9%. The mean age was 67.8 years. Median follow-up was 11.5 years. The overall 10- and 15-year survival was 70.6% and 51.9% respectively. Following surgery, 4.6% (n=291) required return to theatre for re-exploration, and 43.6% (n=2,733) received at least one red cell transfusion. In multivariable analysis, the strongest correlates of mortality were age, smoking history, BMI, COPD, renal impairment, preoperative left ventricular function and preoperative haemoglobin (Hb) level. Twelve-hour blood loss was an additional predictor of inferior long-term survival. Five-year survival was 89.6% for patients with <500 mL blood loss, 86.8% for 500-1,000 mL and 83.8% for >1,000 mL. Re-exploration and receiving blood transfusion were not associated with reduced long-term survival.

Significant 12-hour blood loss is associated with inferior long-term survival following CABG. This observation supports efforts aimed at improving intra-operative haemostasis and aggressive management of patients with early signs of bleeding.