Perioperative Transfusion and Mortality for Cardiovascular Surgery: A Cohort Study Based on Population in Republic of...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Transfusion Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Blood transfusion rates in cardiovascular surgery require evaluation.
• Understanding the link between transfusion and patient outcomes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess blood transfusion rates in Korean cardiovascular surgeries (2010-2019).
• To determine the association between blood transfusion and postoperative mortality.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the National Health Insurance Service database for adult cardiovascular surgery patients (2010-2019).
• Analyzed in-hospital mortality and 1-year all-cause mortality as endpoints.

Main Results:

• 88.8% of 62,794 cases received transfusions.
• Transfusion linked to increased in-hospital (OR 6.87) and 1-year mortality (OR 3.35).
• Risk factors for transfusion included older age, comorbidities, emergency admission, and specific procedures.

Conclusions:

• High transfusion rates in cardiovascular surgery correlate with increased mortality.
• Associations should be interpreted cautiously, considering them as emergent rather than causative.
• Identifying transfusion predictors aids in surgical outcome prediction and procedural optimization.