Predictors of red blood cell transfusion after cardiac surgery: a prospective cohort study

• Main Authors: Camila Takao Lopes, Evelise Helena Fadini Reis Brunori, Agueda Maria Ruiz Zimmer Cavalcante, Sue Ann Moorhead, Juliana de Lima Lopes, Alba Lucia Bottura Leite de Barros
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2015-12-01
• Series: Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP
• Subjects: Cirugía Torácica; Hemorragia; Transfusión Sanguínea; Transfusión de Eritrocitos; Enfermería Cardiovascular
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0080-62342015000600914&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) after cardiac surgery. METHOD A prospective cohort study performed with 323 adults after cardiac surgery, from April to December of 2013. A data collection instrument was constructed by the researchers containing factors associated with excessive bleeding after cardiac surgery, as found in the literature, for investigation in the immediate postoperative period. The relationship between risk factors and the outcome was assessed by univariate analysis and logistic regression. RESULTS The factors associated with RBCT in the immediate postoperative period included lower height and weight, decreased platelet count, lower hemoglobin level, higher prevalence of platelet count <150x10 3/mm3, lower volume of protamine, longer duration of anesthesia, higher prevalence of intraoperative RBCT, lower body temperature, higher heart rate and higher positive end-expiratory pressure. The independent predictor was weight <66.5Kg. CONCLUSION Factors associated with RBCT in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery were found. The independent predictor was weight.