Patterns and outcomes of red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Transfusion and clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention

We investigated the long-term patterns and effects of transfusion on the clinical outcome of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a nationwide registry. Five-year clinical outcome of all Koreans undergoing PCI using stent in year 2011 (n = 48,786) was investigated. Primary outcome was the incidence density of transfusion. The association of transfusion with major adverse clinical event (MACE) consisting all-cause death, revascularization, critically ill cardiovascular status, or stroke was assessed after adjusting the propensity of each patient for transfusion. The 5-year incidence density of transfusion was 4.74 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.70-4.79) per 100 person-year. Patients who received transfusion were older and had higher frequency of clinical risk factors (p < 0.001, all). Transfusion was associated with MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 3.2, 95% CI 3.2-3.3, p < 0.001) and all other clinical events (HR 1.5-6.9, p < 0.001, all). The period of transfusion coincided with the period of highest MACE incidence density. Subgroup analyses showed consistent results. Within 5 years after PCI, a total of 22.9% of patients received transfusion and had a 3.2-fold higher risk of MACE compared to patients without transfusion.

Implementation of a Multidimensional Strategy to Reduce Post-PCI Bleeding Risk

BACKGROUND

The American College of Cardiology Reduce the Risk: PCI Bleed Campaign was a hospital-based quality improvement campaign designed to reduce post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) bleeding events. The aim of the campaign was to provide actionable evidence-based tools for participants to review, adapt, and adopt, depending upon hospital resources and engagement.

METHODS

We used data from 8 757 737 procedures in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry between 2015 and 2021 to compare patient and hospital characteristics and bleeding outcomes among campaign participants (n=195 hospitals) and noncampaign participants (n=1384). Post-PCI bleeding risk was compared before and after campaign participation. Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted association between campaign participation and post-PCI bleeding events. Prespecified subgroups were examined.

RESULTS

Campaign hospitals were more often higher volume teaching facilities located in urban or suburban locations. After adjustment, campaign participation was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of bleeding (bleeding: adjusted odds ratio, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.53-0.71]). Campaign hospitals had a greater decrease in bleeding events than noncampaign hospitals. In a subgroup analysis, the reduction in bleeding was noted in non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome and ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients, but no significant reduction was seen in patients without acute coronary syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in the American College of Cardiology Reduce the Risk: PCI Bleed Campaign was associated with a significant reduction in post-PCI bleeding. Our results underscore that national quality improvement efforts can be associated with a significant impact on PCI outcomes.

Outcomes of Patients Treated with Blood Transfusion in a Contemporary Tertiary Care Medical Center Intensive Cardiac Care Unit

BACKGROUND

Acutely ill patients treated with blood transfusion (BT) have unfavorable prognoses. Nevertheless, data regarding outcomes in patients treated with BT admitted into a contemporary tertiary care medical center intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) are limited. The current study aimed to assess the mortality rate and outcomes of patients treated with BT in a modern ICCU.

METHODS

Prospective single center study where we evaluated mortality, in the short and long term, of patients treated with BT between the period of January 2020 and December 2021 in an ICCU.

OUTCOMES

A total of 2132 consecutive patients were admitted to the ICCU during the study period and were followed-up for up to 2 years. In total, 108 (5%) patients were treated with BT (BT-group) during their admission, with 305 packed cell units. The mean age was 73.8 ± 14 years in the BT-group vs. 66.6 ± 16 years in the non-BT (NBT) group, p < 0.0001. Females were more likely to receive BT as compared with males (48.1% vs. 29.5%, respectively, p < 0.0001). The crude mortality rate was 29.6% in the BT-group and 9.2% in the NBT-group, p < 0.0001. Multivariate Cox analysis found that even one unit of BT was independently associated with more than two-fold the mortality rate [HR = 2.19 95% CI (1.47-3.62)] as compared with the NBT-group, p < 0.0001]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for multivariable analysis and showed area under curve (AUC) of 0.8 [95% CI (0.760-0.852)].

CONCLUSIONS

BT continues to be a potent and independent predictor for both short- and long-term mortality even in a contemporary ICCU, despite the advanced technology, equipment and delivery of care. Further considerations for refining the strategy of BT administration in ICCU patients and guidelines for different subsets of high-risk patients may be warranted.

Indications and hemoglobin thresholds for red blood cell transfusion and iron replacement in adults with gastrointestinal bleeding: An algorithm proposed by gastroenterologists and patient blood management experts

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion has long been the cornerstone of treatment for anemia due to GI bleeding. However, blood is not devoid of potential adverse effects, and it is also a precious resource, with limited supplies in blood banks. Nowadays, all patients should benefit from a patient blood management (PBM) program that aims to minimize blood loss, optimize hematopoiesis (mainly by using iron replacement therapy), maximize tolerance of anemia, and avoid unnecessary transfusions. Integration of PBM into healthcare management reduces patient mortality and morbidity and supports a restrictive RBC transfusion approach by reducing transfusion rates. The European Commission has outlined strategies to support hospitals with the implementation of PBM, but it is vital that these initiatives are translated into clinical practice. To help optimize management of anemia and iron deficiency in adults with acute or chronic GI bleeding, we developed a protocol under the auspices of the Spanish Association of Gastroenterology, in collaboration with healthcare professionals from 16 hospitals across Spain, including expert advice from different specialties involved in PBM strategies, such as internal medicine physicians, intensive care specialists, and hematologists. Recommendations include how to identify patients who have anemia (or iron deficiency) requiring oral/intravenous iron replacement therapy and/or RBC transfusion (using a restrictive approach to transfusion), and transfusing RBC units 1 unit at a time, with assessment of patients after each given unit (i.e., “don’t give two without review”). The advantages and limitations of oral versus intravenous iron and guidance on the safe and effective use of intravenous iron are also described. Implementation of a PBM strategy and clinical decision-making support, including early treatment of anemia with iron supplementation in patients with GI bleeding, may improve patient outcomes and lower hospital costs.

Expanding restrictive transfusion evidence in surgical practice: a multicentre, prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Findings of observational studies investigating the impact of transfusions are at odds with those of randomised controlled trials, raising concern that observational studies may be inappropriate to inform transfusion decisions. We examined whether observational data could replicate evidence from randomised controlled trials on restrictive transfusion in cardiac and orthopaedic surgery, and be generalised to broader specialties as well as to a lower haemoglobin transfusion threshold (7 g/dL).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A multicentre, prospective cohort study was performed at three representative regional hospitals in China between 2015 and 2016. Participants were surgical inpatients (≥18 years; hospital stay ≥24 h) in six specialties: cardiac, cerebral, vascular (CCV), and orthopaedic, general, thoracic (non-CCV). Patients with a stable haemoglobin (7-10 g/dL) constituted the primary analytic sample, while patients with ≥500 mL intra-operative bleeding were analysed separately to avoid haemoglobin instability. The association of transfusion with surgical outcomes (death, in-hospital complications) was evaluated.

RESULTS

The transfusion rate was 10.7% in 36,607 patients (mean age, 52.5±14.3 years; 52.3% female). After restriction, stratification, and propensity score matching to reduce patients' heterogeneity, transfusion was unrelated to death (CCV: odds ratio [OR]=0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16-3.39; non-CCV: OR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.36-1.94) and the composite complication (CCV: OR 1.31, 95% CI: 0.63-2.72; non-CCV: OR=1.24, 95% CI: 0.81-1.90). The results were consistent in subgroups (elderly, coronary heart disease, malignant tumour, severe illness) and applicable to patients with significant bleeding after restoration of a stable haemoglobin.

DISCUSSION

Transfusion at a stable haemoglobin concentration of 7-10 g/dL did not alter surgical outcomes. Our results show the feasibility of observational data to expand restrictive transfusion to broader specialties and a lower transfusion threshold in surgical practice.

Efficacy and safety of ECG-synchronized pulsatile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the clinical setting: The SynCor Trial

INTRODUCTION

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices are increasingly used as a treatment option in resuscitation or in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). Prophylactic implantation in high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions (HRPCI) is another upcoming indication. The i-cor ECG-synchronized cardiac assist device combines the hemodynamic support of a veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) with the ability to generate a pulsatile flow and thus decreasing adverse effects of VA-ECMO on myocardial function. Aim of this study was to obtain data concerning feasibility, safety and outcomes in both indications.

METHODS

A total of 47 patients (34 HRPCI, 13 CS) were included in nine German centers and participated in this study. Demographic and clinical parameters, procedural as well as follow-up data were prospectively recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Device implantation and initiation of ECG-synchronized cardiac assist was technical successful in all cases and no failures of the consoles or disposable parts were observed. Furthermore, intended percutaneous coronary interventions and successful weaning from cardiac assist was achieved in 97.1% of HRPCI patients. We observed a 30d-survival of 94.1% in the HRPCI group and 69.2% in the CS group. Main complications in both groups were bleeding events (14.7% HRPCI, 23.1% CS) and critical limb ischemia (2.9% HRPCI, 38.5% CS).

CONCLUSION

The i-cor ECG-synchronized cardiac assist device appears safe and feasible showing clinical outcomes comparable to existing data in the setting of high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions and acute cardiogenic shock. Further prospective trials are warranted to identify optimal patient and interventional characteristics that will benefit most of this novel kind of mechanical circulatory support.

Variation in in-hospital mortality and its association with percutaneous coronary intervention-related bleeding complications: A report from nationwide registry in Japan

Large-scale registries have demonstrated that in-hospital mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) varies widely across institutions. However, whether this variation is related to major procedural complications (e.g., bleeding) is unclear. In this study, institutional variation in in-hospital mortality and its association with PCI-related bleeding complications were investigated. We analyzed 388,866 procedures at 718 hospitals performed from 2017 to 2018, using data from a nationwide PCI registry in Japan. Hospitals were stratified into quintiles according to risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality (very low, low, medium, high, and very high). Incidence of bleeding complications, defined as procedure-related bleeding events that required a blood transfusion, and in-hospital mortality in patients who developed bleeding complications were calculated for each quintile. Overall, 4,048 (1.04%) in-hospital deaths and 1,535 (0.39%) bleeding complications occurred. Among patients with bleeding complications, 270 (17.6%) died during hospitalization. In-hospital mortality ranged from 0.22% to 2.46% in very low to very high mortality hospitals. The rate of bleeding complications varied modestly from 0.27% to 0.57% (odds ratio, 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.58–2.39). However, mortality after bleeding complications markedly increased by quintile and was 6-fold higher in very high mortality hospitals than very low mortality hospitals (29.0% vs. 4.8%; odds ratio, 12.2; 95% confidence interval, 6.90–21.7). In conclusion, institutional variation in in-hospital mortality after PCI was associated with procedure-related bleeding complications, and this variation was largely driven by differences in mortality after bleeding complications rather than difference in their incidence. These findings underscore the importance of efforts toward reducing not only bleeding complications but also, even more importantly, subsequent mortality once they have occurred.

Gastrointestinal bleeding increases the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with acute cardiovascular diseases requiring intensive care

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding worsens the outcomes of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Owing to a lack of corresponding data, we aimed to investigate whether GI bleeding during cardiovascular-ICU (C-ICU) admission in acute cardiovascular (CV) disease patients is a risk factor for subsequent CV events. Totally, 492 consecutive C-ICU patients (40.9% acute coronary syndrome, 22.8% heart failure) were grouped into GI bleeding (n = 27; 12 upper GI and 15 lower GI) and non-GI bleeding (n = 465) groups. Thirty-nine patients died or developed CV events during hospitalization, and 453 were followed up from the date of C-ICU discharge to evaluate subsequent major adverse CV events. The GI bleeding group had a higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (20.2 ± 8.2 vs. 15.1 ± 6.8, p < 0.001), higher frequency of mechanical ventilator use (29.6% vs. 13.1%, p = 0.039), and longer C-ICU admission duration (8 [5–16] days vs. 5 [3–8] days, p < 0.001) than the non-GI bleeding group. The in-hospital mortality rate did not differ between the groups. Of those who were followed-up, CV events after C-ICU discharge were identified in 34.6% and 14.3% of patients in the GI and non-GI bleeding groups, respectively, during a median follow-up period of 228 days (log rank, p < 0.001). GI bleeding was an independent risk factor for subsequent CV events (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.23, 95% confidence interval: 1.06–4.71; p = 0.035). GI bleeding during C-ICU admission was independently associated with subsequent CV events in such settings.

Institutional Red Blood Cell Transfusion Rates Are Correlated Following Endovascular and Surgical Cardiovascular Procedures: Evidence That Local Culture Influences Transfusion Decisions

Background

The relationship between local hospital culture and transfusion rates following endovascular and surgical cardiovascular procedures has not been well studied.

Methods and Results

Patients undergoing coronary revascularization, aortic valve replacement, lower extremity peripheral vascular intervention, or carotid artery revascularization from up to 852 US hospitals in the Nationwide Readmissions Database were identified. Crude and risk‐standardized red blood cell transfusion rates were determined for each procedure. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between respective procedural transfusion rates. Median odds ratios were estimated to reflect between‐hospital variability in red blood cell transfusion rates following the same procedure for a given patient. There was wide variation in red blood cell transfusion rates across different procedures, from 2% following carotid endarterectomy to 29% following surgical aortic valve replacement. For surgical and endovascular modalities, transfusion rates at the same hospital were highly correlated for aortic valve replacement (r=0.67; P<0.001), moderately correlated for coronary revascularization (r=0.56; P<0.001) and peripheral vascular intervention (r=0.51; P<0.001), and weakly correlated for carotid artery revascularization (r=0.19, P<0.001). Median odds ratios were all >2, highest for coronary artery bypass graft surgery and surgical aortic valve replacement, indicating substantial site variation in transfusion rates.

Conclusions

After adjustment for patient‐related factors, wide variation in red blood cell transfusion rates remained across surgical and endovascular procedures employed for the same cardiovascular condition. Transfusion rates following these procedures are highly correlated at individual hospitals and vary widely across hospitals. In aggregate, these findings suggest that local institutional culture significantly influences the decision to transfuse following invasive cardiovascular procedures and highlight the need for randomized data to inform such decisions.

Extracorporeal life support system during cardiovascular procedures: Insights from the German Lifebridge registry

The frequency of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device application has increased in recent years. Besides implantation in the emergency setting, such as circulatory arrest, MCS is also increasingly used electively to ensure hemodynamic stability in high-risk patients, for example, during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), valve interventions or off-pump coronary bypass surgery. Lifebridge (Zoll Medical GmbH, Germany) is a compact percutaneous MCS device widely used in daily clinical routine. The present study aimed to investigate the indications, feasibility, and outcomes after use of Lifebridge in cardiac interventions, evaluating a large-scale multicenter database. A total of 60 tertiary cardiovascular centers were questioned regarding application and short-term outcomes after the use of the Lifebridge system (n = 160 patients). Out of these 60 centers, eight consented to participate in the study (n = 39 patients), where detailed data were collected using standardized questionnaires. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patient population, procedural as well as follow-up data were recorded and analyzed. In 60 interrogated centers, Lifebridge was used in 74% of emergency cases and 26% in the setting of planned interventions. The subcohort interrogated in detail displayed the same distribution of application scenarios, while the main cardiovascular procedure was high-risk PCI (82%). All patients were successfully weaned from the device and 92% (n = 36) of the patients studied in detail survived after 30 days. As assessed 30 days after insertion of the device, bleeding requiring red blood cell (RBC) transfusion constituted the main complication, occurring in 49% of cases. In our analysis of clinical data, the use of Lifebridge in cardiac intervention was shown to be feasible. Further prospective studies are warranted to identify patients who benefit from hemodynamic MCS support despite the increased rate of RBC transfusion due to challenges in access sites during cardiovascular procedures.

Efficacy and Safety of Guideline-Recommended Risk Score-Directed Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After 2nd-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents

BACKGROUND

Evaluate the safety and efficacy of guideline-recommended risk score-directed dual antiplatelet therapy (GD-DAPT) based on THE PRECISE-DAPT score after 2nd-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.Methods and Results:We analyzed 5,131 patients pooled from 4 clinical trials. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to current recommendations on the duration of DAPT and their actual DAPT duration: GD-DAPT (n=2,183), shorter DAPT (n=1,540), longer DAPT (n=1,408). The primary endpoint was the rate of net adverse clinical events (NACE) during the first 12 months. The secondary endpoints were ischemic or bleeding events. Overall, GD-DAPT did not affect NACE (1.2% vs. 1.2% for shorter DAPT and 1.7% for longer DAPT) or bleeding events (0.6% vs. 0.5% and 0.9%), and there were fewer ischemic events (2.8% vs. 4.4% and 4.0%, P=0.03) than with shorter DAPT. Especially in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, GD-DAPT had fewer NACE (1.5% vs. 1.4% and 4.2%; P=0.006) and bleeding events (0.8% vs. 0.5% and 2.8%; P=0.001) than longer DAPT as well as fewer ischemic events (2.8% vs. 4.4% and 4.7%; P=0.03) than shorter DAPT.

CONCLUSIONS

GD-DAPT did not affect NACE or bleeding events and reduced the number of ischemic events at 12 months compared with shorter DAPT. For ACS, GD-DAPT was associated with favorable outcomes compared with non-GD-DAPT. Therefore, GD-DAPT may optimize efficacy and safety.

Trends and outcomes of red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To examine temporal trends, predictors, and outcomes of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the United States.

METHODS

We used the National Inpatient Sample databases to identify TAVR procedures performed between January 2012 and September 2015 in the United States. Patients were propensity matched (within the strata of overt and no bleeding) on the likelihood of receiving RBC transfusion, and in-hospital outcomes were compared between the 2 groups in the matched cohort.

RESULTS

Among 46,710 TAVR procedures performed during the study period, rates of RBC transfusion were 17.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.1%-18.5%). RBC transfusion rates decreased significantly from 29.5% during the first quarter of 2012 to 10.8% during the third quarter of 2015 (P < .001). Older age, female sex, peripheral vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, anemia, coagulopathy, and fluid/electrolyte disorders were associated with increased odds, whereas elective admission, obesity, and endovascular access were associated with decreased odds of RBC transfusion. In the propensity-matched cohort (7995 pairs with and without RBC transfusion), RBC transfusion was associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality, infection, and transient ischemic attack/stroke in patients without bleeding (odds ratio [OR]_Mortality, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.31-4.02; OR_Infection, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.03-4.39; OR_{Transient ischemic attack/Stroke,} 3.36; 95% CI, 1.52-7.45), but not in those with overt bleeding (OR_Mortality, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.68-1.48; OR_Infection, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.45-1.45; OR_{Transient ischemic attack/Stroke}, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.74-1.85); P_interaction < .05 for all.

CONCLUSIONS

RBC transfusion is associated with worse clinical outcomes in TAVR patients without bleeding, but not in those with overt bleeding. The utility and optimal threshold for RBC transfusion in TAVR patients, especially among those with overt bleeding, warrants further prospective investigation.

Development and Validation of a Novel Risk Score for In-Hospital Major Bleeding in Acute Myocardial Infarction:-The SWEDEHEART Score

Background Bleeding risk stratification in acute coronary syndrome is of highest clinical interest but current risk scores have limitations. We sought to develop and validate a new in-hospital bleeding risk score for patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods and Results From the nationwide SWEDEHEART (Swedish Web-System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies) register, 97,597 patients with acute myocardial infarction enrolled from 2009 until 2014 were selected. A full model with 23 predictor variables and 8 interaction terms was fitted using logistic regression. The full model was approximated by a model with 5 predictors and 1 interaction term. Calibration, discrimination, and clinical utility was evaluated and compared with the ACTION (Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network) and CRUSADE (Can Rapid Risk Stratification of Unstable Angina Patients Suppress Ad verse Outcomes With Early Implementation of the ACC /AHA Guidelines) scores. Internal and temporal validity was assessed. In-hospital major bleeding, defined as fatal, intracranial, or requiring surgery or blood transfusion, occurred in 1356 patients (1.4%). The 5 predictors in the approximate model that constituted the SWEDEHEART score were hemoglobin, age, sex, creatinine, and C-reactive protein. The ACTION and CRUSADE scores were poorly calibrated in the derivation cohort and therefore were recalibrated. The SWEDEHEART score showed higher discriminative ability than both recalibrated scores, overall ( C-index 0.80 versus 0.73/0.72) and in all predefined subgroups. Decision curve analysis demonstrated consistently positive and higher net benefit for the SWEDEHEART score compared with both recalibrated scores across all clinically relevant decision thresholds. The original ACTION and CRUSADE scores showed negative net benefit. Conclusions The 5-item SWEDEHEART score discriminates in-hospital major bleeding in patients with acute myocardial infarction and has superior model performance compared with the recalibrated ACTION and CRUSADE scores.

Red blood cell transfusion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction-a meta-analysis of more than 21,000 patients

BACKGROUND

Red blood cell transfusion remains controversial in patients with acute coronary syndromes and particularly in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Web of Science for studies published until January 2017 describing the outcomes in patients with STEMI who received red blood cell transfusion, compared with patients who did not.

RESULTS

A total of 21,770 patients with STEMI from 5 cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis, 984 (4.5%) received red blood cell transfusion and 20,786 (95.4%) did not. Red blood cell transfusion was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital and long-term mortality, emergency repeated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), reinfarction rate, stroke rate, and heart failure. The group with red blood cell transfusion had a slightly higher incidence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but a lower incidence of smoking. The two groups had the same incidence of prior myocardial infarction, prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery and malignancy. Prior heart failure, prior stroke and prior PCI were more frequent in the group that had received red blood cell transfusion. The mean nadir haemoglobin was 8.5 ± 0.1 g/dl in the group with red blood cell transfusion and 12.5 ± 0.4 g/dl in the control group, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

Red blood cell transfusion increases the morbidity and mortality in patients with STEMI. This difference could not be explained by the higher morbidity in the red blood cell transfusion group alone. Further randomised controlled trials are required to provide a reliable haemoglobin threshold for these patients.

Relation of Use of Red Blood Cell Transfusion After Acute Coronary Syndrome to Long-Term Mortality

Registry studies have associated red blood cell (RBC) transfusion with increased in-hospital mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The impact on long-term mortality after 1-year follow-up remains unknown. Consecutive patients with ACS (n = 2,009) of a prospective Genetic Predisposition of Coronary Artery Disease cohort were followed for a median of 8.6 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.59 to 8.69). After discharge, 1,937 (96%) patients survived for over 30 days. Of those survivors, a subgroup of previously transfusion-naïve patients 85/1,937 (4.4%) who had received at least 1 RBC transfusion during hospitalization were compared with 1,278/1,937 patients (66.0%) who had not received any transfusion either during the hospitalization or the entire follow-up. Unadjusted long-term mortality was significantly higher in the patients transfused with RBC compared with their counterparts not transfused with RBC (58.8% vs 20.3%, p <0.001). The results remained significant for hazard ratio (HR) 1.91, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.63, p <0.001, after multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis and were similar after 1-year landmark analysis (HR 1.90, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.70, p <0.001). The higher all-cause mortality was largely explained by cancer mortality (15.3% vs 4.1%, p <0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (34.1% vs 12.1%, p <0.001). After 1:1 propensity score matching (n = 65 vs 65), the association of RBC transfusion with worse survival remained significant (HR 2.70, 95% CI 1.48 to 4.95, p = 0.001). Inverse probability weighted Cox analyses turned out similar results (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.38 to 3.11, p <0.001). In conclusion, the strong association of need for RBC transfusion with increased mortality continued for patients with ACS even after a 1-year follow-up.

Risks of restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategies in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD): a meta-analysis

AIM

To evaluate the risks of restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategies (haemoglobin 7-8 g dL^-1 ) in patients with and without known cardiovascular disease (CVD).

BACKGROUND

Recent guidelines recommend restrictive strategies for CVD patients hospitalised for non-CVD indications, patients without known CVD and patients hospitalised for CVD corrective procedures.

METHODS/MATERIALS

Database searches were conducted through December 2017 for randomised clinical trials that enrolled patients with and without known CVD, hospitalised either for CVD-corrective procedures or non-cardiac indications, comparing effects of liberal with restrictive strategies on major adverse coronary events (MACE) and death.

RESULTS

In CVD patients not undergoing cardiac interventions, a liberal strategy decreased (P = 0·01) the relative risk (95% CI) (RR) of MACE [0·50 (0·29-0·86)] (I²  = 0%). Among patients without known CVD, the incidence of MACE was lower (1·7 vs 3·9%), and the effect of a liberal strategy on MACE [0·79, (0·39-1·58)] was smaller and non-significant but not different from CVD patients (P = 0·30). Combining all CVD and non-CVD patients, a liberal strategy decreased MACE [0·59, (0·39-0·91); P = 0·02]. Conversely, among studies reporting mortality, a liberal strategy decreased mortality in CVD patients (11·7% vs·13·3%) but increased mortality (19·2% vs 18·0%) in patients without known CVD [interaction P = 0·05; ratio of RR 0·73, (0·53-1·00)]. A liberal strategy also did not benefit patients undergoing cardiac surgery; data were insufficient for percutaneous cardiac procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients hospitalised for non-cardiac indications, liberal transfusion strategies are associated with a decreased risk of MACE in both those with and without known CVD. However, this only provides a survival benefit to CVD patients not admitted for CVD-corrective procedures.

Blood Transfusion in Elderly Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: Data from the RICO Survey

BACKGROUND

Red blood cell transfusion benefit during acute myocardial infarction remains unclear in the elderly. We aimed to assess the transfusion impact on 1-year mortality in acute myocardial infarction patients aged ≥65 years, according to their age and hemoglobin nadir.

METHODS

We included 3316 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction aged ≥65 years from the "obseRvatoire des Infarctus de Côte d'Or" (RICO) survey. They were categorized according to their hemoglobin nadir (≤8, >8 to ≤10, and >10 g/dL) and age (<80 or ≥80 years).

RESULTS

A total of 1906 patients (57%) were 65-79 years old, and 1410 (43%) were aged ≥80 years, of whom 103 (5%) and 145 (10%) patients received red blood cell transfusion, respectively (P < .001). In Cox regression analysis, transfusion was associated with increased 1-year mortality for hemoglobin nadir >10 g/dL but no significant effect for hemoglobin nadir between 8 and 10 g/dL. When hemoglobin nadir was ≤8 g/dL, transfusion did not influence 1-year mortality for younger patients (65-79 years). However, for older patients (≥80 years), transfusion was associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio 0.43 [95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.86], P = .016).

CONCLUSION

Among older patients with acute myocardial infarction, the effect of transfusion was largely dependent on hemoglobin threshold and age. Transfusion was associated with increased 1-year mortality when hemoglobin nadir was >10 g/dL. However, in patients aged ≥80 years with hemoglobin nadir <8 g/dL, transfusion was associated with a 50% reduction in 1-year mortality.

Impact of red blood cell transfusion on acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis

The impact of red blood cell transfusion on outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome is controversial. Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies of red blood cell transfusion and acute coronary syndrome that were published in any language, from January 1, 1966, to April 1, 2016. We analyzed 17 observational studies, of 2,525,550 subjects. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of studies assessing the association between blood transfusion and the risk for all-cause mortality and reinfarction. The search yielded 17 observational studies, of 2,525,550 subjects, during a study follow-up period, ranging from 30 days to 5 years. Red blood cell transfusion compared with no blood transfusion is associated with higher short- and long-term all-cause mortality as well as reinfarction rates (adjusted RR 2.23; 95% CI 1.47-3.39; HR 1.93; 95% CI 1.12-3.34; RR 2.61; 95% CI 2.17-3.14, respectively). In hemoglobin-stratified analyses, a graded association between red blood cell transfusion and mortality was observed, transfusion and risk of all-cause mortality was borderline significant at hemoglobin levels below 8.0 g/dL (RR 0.52; 95% CI 0.25-1.06), and was associated with an increased risk of mortality at a hemoglobin above 10 g/dL (RR 3.34; 95% CI 2.25-4.97). Red blood cell transfusion was associated with an increased risk of short- and long-term mortality as well as myocardial reinfarction. However, transfusion appeared to have beneficial or neutral effects on mortality at hemoglobin levels below 8.0 g/dL, and harmful effects above 10 g/dL. A large definitive randomized controlled trial addressing this issue is urgently required.

Hemolysis in In-Date RBC Concentrates

OBJECTIVES

Hemolysis is one of the most prominent changes that occur during the liquid storage of RBCs in additive solution (AS), but most studies have measured hemolysis only on day 42.

METHODS

Prestorage leukoreduced RBCs in AS-1 and AS-3 were studied, one group on day 42 and a second group between day 0 and day 40. Each product was sampled for direct measurement of supernatant hemoglobin and hematocrit.

RESULTS

Ninety day 42 and 218 day 7 to day 39 RBCs showed a mean ± SD supernatant hemoglobin of 75 ± 100 vs 25.5 ± 16 mg/dL respectively (P < .01). Supernatant hemoglobin correlated weakly with storage age (r = 0.2, P < .01) but more strongly with hematocrit (r = 0.4, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

There are minimal differences in supernatant hemoglobin until the final days of liquid storage when some high hematocrit RBCs show excessive hemolysis.

Continued decline in blood collection and transfusion in the United States-2015

BACKGROUND

In 2011 and 2013, the National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey (NBCUS) revealed declines in blood collection and transfusion in the United States. The objective of this study was to describe blood services in 2015.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The 2015 NBCUS was distributed to all US blood collection centers, all hospitals performing at least 1000 surgeries annually, and a 40% random sample of hospitals performing 100 to 999 surgeries annually. Weighting and imputation were used to generate national estimates for units of blood and components collected, deferred, distributed, transfused, and outdated.

RESULTS

Response rates for the 2015 NBCUS were 78.4% for blood collection centers and 73.9% for transfusing hospitals. In 2015, 12,591,000 units of red blood cells (RBCs) (95% confidence interval [CI], 11,985,000-13,197,000 units of RBCs) were collected, and 11,349,000 (95% CI, 10,592,000-11,747,000) were transfused, representing declines since 2013 of 11.6% and 13.9%, respectively. Total platelet units distributed (2,436,000; 95% CI, 2,230,000-2,642,000) and transfused (1,983,000; 95% CI, 1,816,000 = 2,151,000) declined by 0.5% and 13.1%, respectively, since 2013. Plasma distributions (3,714,000; 95% CI, 3,306,000-4,121,000) and transfusions (2,727,000; 95% CI, 2,594,000-2,859,000) in 2015 declined since 2013. The median price paid per unit in 2015-$211 for leukocyte-reduced RBCs, $524 for apheresis platelets, and $54 for fresh frozen plasma-was less for all components than in 2013.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2015 NBCUS findings suggest that continued declines in demand for blood products resulted in fewer units collected and distributed Maintaining a blood inventory sufficient to meet routine and emergent demands will require further monitoring and understanding of these trends.

How do we reduce plasma transfusion in Rhode Island?

BACKGROUND

Plasma transfusions are given to patients with coagulopathy, either prophylactically, before an invasive procedure; or therapeutically, in the presence of active bleeding; and as an exchange fluid in therapeutic plasma exchange for disorders such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. There is consensus that many prophylactic plasma transfusions are non-efficacious, and the misdiagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura results in unnecessary therapeutic plasma exchange.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Beginning in 2001, programs to reduce plasma transfusion in the three major teaching hospitals in Rhode Island were initiated. The programs evolved through the establishment of guidelines, education for key prescribers of plasma, screening of plasma prescriptions, and engagement of individual prescribing physicians for out-of-guidelines prescriptions with modification or cancellation. Establishment of an in-house ADAMTS13 (ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1, motif 13) assay in 2013 was used to prevent therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with non-thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura microangiopathy. Transfusion service data were gathered at the hospital level regarding blood component use, hospital data for discharges, inpatient mortality, and mean case-mix index, and, at the state level, for units of plasma shipped from the community blood center to in-state hospitals.

RESULTS

Between 2006 and 2016, a reduction in plasma use from 11,805 to 2677 units (a 77% decrease) was observed in the three hospitals and was mirrored in the state as a whole. This decline was not associated with any increase in red blood cell transfusion. Inpatient mortality either declined or was unchanged.

CONCLUSION

An active program focused on education and interdiction can achieve a large decrease in plasma transfusions without evidence of patient harm.

Outcomes of Protocol-Driven Care of Critically Ill Severely Anemic Patients for Whom Blood Transfusion Is Not an Option

OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcomes of severely anemic critically ill patients for whom transfusion is not an option ("bloodless" patients) with transfused patients.

DESIGN

Cohort study with propensity score matching.

SETTING

ICU of a referral center.

PATIENTS

One hundred seventy-eight bloodless and 441 transfused consecutive severely anemic, critically ill patients, admitted between May 1996 and April 2011, and having at least one hemoglobin level less than or equal to 8 g/dL within 24 hours of ICU admission. Patients with diagnosis of brain injury, acute myocardial infarction, or status postcardiac surgery were excluded.

INTERVENTIONS

Allogeneic RBC transfusion during ICU stay.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Other outcomes were ICU mortality, readmission to ICU, new electrocardiographic or cardiac enzyme changes suggestive of cardiac ischemia or injury, and new positive blood culture result. Transfused patients were older, had higher hemoglobin level at admission, and had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score. Hospital mortality rates were 24.7% in bloodless and 24.5% in transfused patients (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.68-1.52; p = 0.95). Adjusted odds ratio of hospital mortality was 1.52 (95% CI, 0.95-2.43; p = 0.08). No significant difference in ICU readmission or positive blood culture results was observed. Analysis of propensity score-matched cohorts provided similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall risk of mortality in severely anemic critically ill bloodless patients appeared to be comparable with transfused patients, albeit the latter group had older age and higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score. Use of a protocol to manage anemia in these patients in a center with established patient blood management and bloodless medicine and surgery programs is feasible and likely to contribute to improved outcome, whereas more studies are needed to better delineate the impact of such programs.

Association Between Chronic Kidney Disease and Rates of Transfusion and Progression to End-Stage Renal Disease in Patients Undergoing Transradial Versus Transfemoral Cardiac Catheterization-An Analysis From the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking (CART) Program

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk for bleeding, transfusion, and dialysis after cardiac catheterization. Whether rates of these complications are increased in this high-risk population undergoing transradial access compared with transfemoral access is unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From the Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking program, we identified 229 108 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization between 2007 and 2014, of which 48 155 (21.0%) had baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between 15 and 59 mL/min. We used multivariable Cox modeling to determine the independent association between transradial access and postprocedure transfusion as well as progression to new dialysis by degree of renal dysfunction. Overall, 35 979 (15.7%) of patients underwent Transradial access. Transradial patients tended to be slightly younger, but, overall, had similar rates of CKD compared to transfemoral patients (24.3% vs 27.1%). Transradial patients had longer fluoroscopy times (7.2 vs 6.0 minutes; P<0.001), but lower contrast use (85.0 vs 100.0 mL; P<0.001). The estimated rate of blood transfusion within 48 hours was lower among transradial patients (0.85% vs 1.01%) as were rates of new dialysis at 1 year (0.58% vs 0.71%). After multivariable adjustment, transradial access was associated with lower rates of progression to dialysis at 1 year overall (hazard ratio [HR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70-0.98), with no trend of increased risk for dialysis by degree of CKD compared with transfemoral access. Transradial access was associated with greater reduction in transfusion rates with increasing degree of CKD (P value for trend=0.04: non-CKD: HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.73-1.34; GFR 45-59 mL/min: HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.70-1.23; GFR 30-44 mL/min: HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.51-1.03; GFR 15-29 mL/min: HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.90).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients undergoing cardiac catheterization in the VA health system, transradial access was associated with lower risk for postprocedure transfusion within 48 hours among patients with more-severe CKD, and with lower risk of progression to end-stage renal disease at 1 year compared with transfemoral access. These data provide additional evidence that transradial access may provide significant benefit in this high-risk population.

The Learning Healthcare System and Cardiovascular Care: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

The learning healthcare system uses health information technology and the health data infrastructure to apply scientific evidence at the point of clinical care while simultaneously collecting insights from that care to promote innovation in optimal healthcare delivery and to fuel new scientific discovery. To achieve these goals, the learning healthcare system requires systematic redesign of the current healthcare system, focusing on 4 major domains: science and informatics, patient-clinician partnerships, incentives, and development of a continuous learning culture. This scientific statement provides an overview of how these learning healthcare system domains can be realized in cardiovascular disease care. Current cardiovascular disease care innovations in informatics, data uses, patient engagement, continuous learning culture, and incentives are profiled. In addition, recommendations for next steps for the development of a learning healthcare system in cardiovascular care are presented.

Restrictive versus liberal blood transfusion in patients with coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To compare clinical outcomes between restrictive versus liberal blood transfusion strategies in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A literature search from January 1966 to May 2016 was performed in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library to find trials evaluating a restrictive hemoglobin transfusion trigger of ≤8 g/dL, compared with a more liberal trigger. Two study authors independently extracted data from the trials. The primary outcome was mortality and the secondary outcome was subsequent myocardial infarction. Relative risks (RRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed.

RESULTS

Six trials involving 133,058 participants were included in this study. Pooled results revealed no difference in mortality between the liberal transfusion and restrictive transfusions (RR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.91-1.52, P = .22). Subgroup analysis revealed that a restrictive transfusion strategy was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality (RR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.15-1.67, P < .001) and 30 day mortality (RR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01-1.45, P = .03), compared with the liberal strategy. No significant difference was found between the liberal transfusion strategy and restrictive transfusion strategy in risk for subsequent myocardial infarction (RR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.57-2.06, P = .80).

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include (1) limited number of trials, especially those evaluating myocardial infarction, (2) observed heterogeneity, (3) confounding by indication and other inherent bias may exist.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that restrictive blood transfusion was associated with higher in-hospital and 30 day mortality than liberal blood transfusion in CAD patients. The conclusions are mainly based on retrospective studies and should not be considered as recommendation before they are supported by randomized controlled trials.

The Association of Peri-Procedural Blood Transfusion with Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Lower Extremity Vascular Interventions: Insights from BMC2 VIC

Objective

To determine the predictors of periprocedural blood transfusion and the association of transfusion on outcomes in high risk patients undergoing endoluminal percutaneous vascular interventions (PVI) for peripheral arterial disease.

Methods/Results

Between 2010–2014 at 47 hospitals participating in a statewide quality registry, 4.2% (n = 985) of 23,273 patients received a periprocedural blood transfusion. Transfusion rates varied from 0 to 15% amongst the hospitals in the registry. Using multiple logistic regression, factors associated with increased transfusion included female gender (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.6–2.1), low creatinine clearance (1.3; 1.1–1.6), pre-procedural anemia (4.7; 3.9–5.7), family history of CAD (1.2; 1.1–1.5), CHF (1.4; 1.2–1.6), COPD (1.2; 1.1–1.4), CVD or TIA (1.2; 1.1–1.4), renal failure CRD (1.5; 1.2–1.9), pre-procedural heparin use (1.8; 1.4–2.3), warfarin use (1.2; 1.0–1.5), critical limb ischemia (1.7; 1.5–2.1), aorta-iliac procedure (1.9; 1.5–2.5), below knee procedure (1.3; 1.1–1.5), urgent procedure (1.7; 1.3–2.2), and emergent procedure (8.3; 5.6–12.4). Using inverse weighted propensity matching to adjust for confounders, transfusion was a significant risk factor for death (15.4; 7.5–31), MI (67; 29–150), TIA/stroke (24; 8–73) and ARF (19; 6.2–57). A focused QI program was associated with a 28% decrease in administration of blood transfusion (p = 0.001) over 4 years.

Conclusion

In a large statewide PVI registry, post procedure transfusion was highly correlated with a specific set of clinical risk factors, and with in-hospital major morbidity and mortality. However, using a focused QI program, a significant reduction in transfusion is possible.

A comparison of red blood cell transfusion utilization between anti-activated factor X and activated partial thromboplastin monitoring in patients receiving unfractionated heparin

Essentials Anti-activated factor X (Anti-Xa) monitoring is more precise than activated partial thromboplastin (aPTT). 20 804 hospitalized cardiovascular patients monitored with Anti-Xa or aPTT were analyzed. Adjusted transfusion rates were significantly lower for patients monitored with Anti-Xa. Adoption of Anti-Xa protocols could reduce transfusions among cardiovascular patients in the US.

SUMMARY

Background Anticoagulant activated factor X protein (Anti-Xa) has been shown to be a more precise monitoring tool than activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) for patients receiving unfractionated heparin (UFH) anticoagulation therapy. Objectives To compare red blood cell (RBC) transfusions between patients receiving UFH who are monitored with Anti-Xa and those monitored with aPTT. Patients/Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (N = 14 822), diagnosed with ischemic stroke (STK) (N = 1568) or with a principal diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (N = 4414) in the MedAssets data from January 2009 to December 2013. Anti-Xa and aPTT groups were identified from hospital billing details, with both brand and generic name as search criteria. Propensity score techniques were used to match Anti-Xa cases to aPTT controls. RBC transfusions were identified from hospital billing data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify significant drivers of transfusions. Results Anti-Xa patients had fewer RBC transfusions than aPTT patients in the ACS population (difference 17.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 16.4-18.7%), the STK population (difference 8.2%; 95% CI 4.4-11.9%), and the VTE population (difference 4.7%; 95% CI 3.3-6.1%). After controlling for patient age and gender, diagnostic risks (e.g. anemia, renal insufficiency, and trauma), and invasive procedures (e.g. cardiac catheterization, hemodialysis, and coronary artery bypass graft), Anti-Xa patients were less likely to have a transfusion while hospitalized for ACS (odds ratio [OR] 0.16, 95% CI 0.14-0.18), STK (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.29-0.57), and VTE (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.26-0.48). Conclusion Anti-Xa monitoring was associated with a significant reduction in RBC transfusions as compared with aPTT monitoring alone.

Controversies in the Management of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Transradial Versus Transfemoral Approach

This article discusses the controversies surrounding the use of transradial versus transfemoral approaches in the management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, beginning with a review of the benefits of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in this population. The unanswered questions about the mechanism underlying the mortality benefit of transradial PCI are discussed, concluding with recommendations for safe and effective strategies for adoption of the transradial approach to optimize outcomes in these high-risk patients.

Blood Transfusion and the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury Among Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background—

Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicating percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. To date, no studies have evaluated the association of blood transfusion with AKI in patients undergoing PCI.

Methods and Results—

We used a retrospective cohort study of all patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI from CathPCI Registry (n=1 756 864). The primary outcome was AKI defined as the rise in serum creatinine post procedure ≥0.5 mg/dL or ≥25% above baseline values. AKI developed in 9.0% of study sample. Patients with AKI were older, more often women, and had high prevalence of comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and advanced stages of chronic kidney disease at baseline. Blood transfusion was utilized in 2.2% of patients. In the overall sample, AKI developed in 35.1% of patients who received transfusion versus 8.4% of patients without transfusion (adjusted odds ratio, 4.87 [4.71–5.04]). In the subgroup of patients who sustained bleeding event and received transfusion, the rate of AKI was significantly increased across all preprocedure hemoglobin levels versus no blood transfusion. Similar findings were seen in the subgroup of patients with no bleeding event.

Conclusions—

Blood transfusion is strongly associated with AKI in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI. Further investigation is needed to determine whether a restrictive blood transfusion strategy might improve PCI outcomes by reducing the risk of AKI.

Meta-Analysis of the Prognostic Impact of Anemia in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Anemia is common in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and current guidelines fail to offer recommendations for its management. This review aims to examine the relation between baseline anemia and mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and major bleeding in patients undergoing PCI. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies that evaluated mortality and adverse outcomes in anemic and nonanemic patients who underwent PCI. Data were collected on study design, participant characteristics, definition of anemia, follow-up, and adverse outcomes. Random effects meta-analysis of risk ratios was performed using inverse variance method. A total of 44 studies were included in the review with 230,795 participants. The prevalence of baseline anemia was 26,514 of 170,914 (16%). There was an elevated risk of mortality and MACE with anemia compared with no anemia-pooled risk ratio (RR) 2.39 (2.02 to 2.83), p <0.001 and RR 1.51 (1.34 to 1.71), p <0.001, respectively. The risk of myocardial infarction and bleeding with anemia compared with no anemia was elevated, pooled RR 1.33 (1.07 to 1.65), p = 0.01 and RR 1.97 (1.03 to 3.77), p <0.001, respectively. The risk of mortality per unit incremental decrease in hemoglobin (g/dl) was RR 1.19 (1.09 to 1.30), p <0.001 and the risk of mortality, MACE, and reinfarction per 1 unit incremental decrease in hematocrit (%) was RR 1.07 (1.05 to 1.10), p = 0.04, RR 1.09 (1.08 to 1.10) and RR 1.06 (1.03 to 1.10), respectively. The prevalence of anemia in contemporary cohorts of patients undergoing PCI is significant and is associated with significant increases in postprocedural mortality, MACE, reinfarction, and bleeding. The optimal strategy for the management of anemia in such patients remains uncertain.

Declining blood collection and utilization in the United States

BACKGROUND

The Department of Health and Human Services National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey (NBCUS) has been conducted biennially since 1997. Data are used to estimate national blood collection and utilization.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The 2013 Department of Health and Human Services NBCUS is a cross-sectional survey of all US blood collection centers and hospitals as listed in the 2012 American Hospital Association Annual Survey database that perform at least 100 inpatient surgical procedures annually. The study objective was to estimate, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), the number of blood and blood components collected and transfused in the United States.

RESULTS

In 2013, a total of 14,237,000 whole blood and apheresis red blood cell (RBC) units (95% CI, 13,639,000-14,835,000) were collected with 13,395,000 available for transfusion. Of these, 13,180,000 (95% CI, 12,389,000-13,972,000) whole blood and RBC units were transfused. This represented a 4.4% decline in the number of transfused units compared to 2011. Outdated (i.e., expired without being transfused) whole blood and RBC units declined by 17.3%. Apheresis (2,318,000; 95% CI, 2,154,000-2,482,000) and whole blood-derived platelet (PLT; 130,000; 95% CI, 23,000-237,000) distribution declined in 2013. Total PLT transfusions increased in 2013 (2,281,000) in comparison to 2011 (2,169,000). Total plasma units distributed (4,338,000) and transfused (3,624,000) declined.

CONCLUSION

Both blood collection and utilization have declined, but the gap between collection and utilization is narrowing. As collections decline further and hospitals decrease transfusions and manage products more efficiently, the decline in surplus inventory may be a concern for disaster preparedness or other unexpected utilization needs.

Impact of institutional culture on rates of transfusions during cardiovascular procedures: The Michigan experience

BACKGROUND

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions have been associated with morbidity and mortality in both coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). As a mechanism for identifying determinants of RBC practice, we quantified the relationship between a center's PCI and CABG transfusion rate.

METHODS

We identified all patients undergoing CABG (n = 16,568) or PCI (n = 94,634) at each of 33 centers from 2010 through 2012 in the state of Michigan and compared perioperative RBC transfusion rates for CABG and PCI at each center. Crude and adjusted transfusion rates were modeled separately. We adjusted for common preprocedural risk factors (12 for CABG and 23 for PCI) and reported Pearson correlation coefficients based on the crude and risk-adjusted rates.

RESULTS

As expected, RBC transfusion was more common after CABG (mean 46.5%) than PCI (mean 3.3%), with wide variation across centers for both (CABG min:max 26.5:71.3, PCI min:max 1.6:6.0). However, RBC transfusion rates were significantly correlated between CABG and PCI in both crude, 0.48 (P = .005), and adjusted, 0.53 (P = .001), analyses. These findings were consistent when restricting to nonemergent cases (radj = 0.44, P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Red blood cell transfusion rates were significantly correlated between the CABG and PCI at individual hospitals in Michigan, independent of patient case mix. Future work should explore institutional practice patterns, philosophies, and guidelines for RBC transfusions.

Clinical factors influencing the decision to transfuse after percutaneous native kidney biopsy

Background

Transfusion of erythrocytes is the most common intervention after a complicated percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB). Anemia is considered to be a leading risk factor for bleeding following a PRB, and based on recent studies of transfusions in hospitalized patients, many institutions are restricting the threshold for erythrocyte transfusion to a lower hemoglobin concentration (Hgb). The purpose of this study is to analyze factors that influence the transfusion decision after a PRB, and to determine whether anemia is truly a risk factor for bleeding or anemic patients are simply more likely to receive a transfusion because of their already lower pre-PRB Hgb.

Methods

PRB of native kidneys was performed using real-time ultrasound with automated biopsy needles from January 1990 to April 2014. All patients were prospectively followed for bleeding with a 24-h inpatient observation. An intervention for a bleeding complication (BL-I) was defined by undergoing a procedure (cystoscopy, embolization), receiving a blood transfusion (BL-T), death and/or readmission related to the biopsy. To further define the effect of anemia, patients were divided into three pre-PRB Hgb groups: <9.0 g/dL (n = 79), 9.0–11.0 g/dL (n = 266) and >11.0 g/dL (n = 565).

Results

BL-I occurred in 71/910 (7.8%) of PRBs. The majority of these were BL-T (57/71, 80%; 57/910, 6.3% overall). Patients with BL-I had lower pre-PRB Hgb than those without BL-I (mean ± SD; 10.3 ± 2.0 versus 12.0 ± 2.1 g/dL, P < 0.0001) and a greater change (Δ) in Hgb (2.1 ± 1.6 versus 1.0 ± 0.8 g/dL, P < 0.0001). When compared with higher Hgb, patients with Hgb <9.0 g/dL had more traditional risk factors for bleeding (older age: 49 ± 18 versus 48 ± 18 versus 45 ± 16 years, P = 0.02; female: 72 versus 70 versus 56%, P < 0.0001; higher serum creatinine: 4.0 ± 2.9 versus 2.9 ± 2.6 versus 1.7 ± 1.4 mg/dL, P < 0.0001; higher systolic blood pressure: 138 ± 18 versus 133 ± 19 versus 133 ± 18 mmHg, P = 0.06; higher bleeding time: 7.6 ± 1.8 versus 7.4 ± 2.0 versus 6.7 ± 1.8 min, P < 0.0001). When BL-T was stratified by pre-PRB Hgb, there were more transfusions in those with lower pre-PRB Hgb (24 versus 9 versus 3%, P < 0.0001). However, these patients not only had fewer hematomas (58 versus 83 versus 87%, P = 0.04) but also demonstrated a smaller ΔHgb post-PRB (1.3 ± 1.0 versus 1.8 ± 0.8 versus 3.2 ± 1.6, P < 0.0001) compared with patients with higher pre-PRB Hgb, yet still received a transfusion.

Conclusions

While patients with lower pre-PRB Hgb have more of the traditional risk factors for a complication after PRB, there was actually less clinically evident bleeding in these patients who were transfused. Although anemia itself has been considered to be a risk factor for a complication in the past, it more accurately represents only a predictor of receiving an erythrocyte transfusion. In the setting of the PRB, the decision for transfusion is influenced more by the severity of anemia at baseline as opposed to clinically evident bleeding.

Blood transfusion, bleeding, anemia, and survival in patients with acute myocardial infarction: FAST-MI registry

BACKGROUND

An association between transfusion during index hospitalization and increased subsequent mortality has been reported in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Whether this reflects the prognostic role of transfusion per se, or the impact of the index event leading to transfusion, remains unclear. We sought to evaluate the impact of transfusion on mortality in patients with AMI.

METHODS

Using the nationwide FAST-MI 2005 AMI registry, we recorded anemia on admission, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction major or minor bleeding, and transfusions during hospital stay. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of in-hospital and 5-year mortality. Cohorts of patients matched for propensity to receive transfusion were compared.

RESULTS

Among 3541 patients with AMI, 827 (23.4%) had anemia on admission, 114 (3.2%) had minor or major bleeding, and 151 (4.3%) underwent transfusion. After multivariable analysis, both anemia and bleeding were independently associated with 5-year mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.6 and HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8, respectively), whereas transfusion did not appear to be an independent predictor (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8-1.5). Mortality at 5 years did not differ between cohorts matched for propensity to receive transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, anemia on admission and bleeding during hospitalization were both associated with increased 5-year mortality in patients with myocardial infarction. Conversely, transfusion per se was not associated with lower survival. Further work is needed to clarify the optimal transfusion strategy in patients with bleeding or anemia and myocardial infarction.

Forum for debate: Safety of allogeneic blood transfusion alternatives in the surgical/critically ill patient

In recent years, several safety alerts have questioned or restricted the use of some pharmacological alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion in established indications. In contrast, there seems to be a promotion of other alternatives, based on blood products and/or antifibrinolytic drugs, which lack a solid scientific basis. The Multidisciplinary Autotransfusion Study Group and the Anemia Working Group España convened a multidisciplinary panel of 23 experts belonging to different healthcare areas in a forum for debate to: 1) analyze the different safety alerts referred to certain transfusion alternatives; 2) study the background leading to such alternatives, the evidence supporting them, and their consequences for everyday clinical practice, and 3) issue a weighted statement on the safety of each questioned transfusion alternative, according to its clinical use. The members of the forum maintained telematics contact for the exchange of information and the distribution of tasks, and a joint meeting was held where the conclusions on each of the items examined were presented and discussed. A first version of the document was drafted, and subjected to 4 rounds of review and updating until consensus was reached (unanimously in most cases). We present the final version of the document, approved by all panel members, and hope it will be useful for our colleagues.

Harms associated with single unit perioperative transfusion: retrospective population based analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether perioperative transfusion of as little as one unit of packed red blood cells in the operating room or the day after surgery is associated with measurably increased odds for perioperative ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of hospital administrative data.

SETTING

346 hospitals in the United States participating in the claims based Premier Perspective database from 1 January 2009 to 31 March 2012.

PARTICIPANTS

1,583,819 adults who underwent non-cardiac, non-intracranial, non-vascular surgery and required a stay of at least one night in hospital and did not receive packed red blood cells on days two to seven after surgery.

INTERVENTION

Transfusion of packed red blood cells on the day of surgery or one day after by exposure categories (none or one, two, three or four or more units).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The composite outcome of stroke/myocardial infarction was defined as ischemic stroke, ST elevation myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation during index admission or as a primary diagnosis for readmission within 30 days. Ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation were included as a surrogate for myocardial infarction.

RESULTS

41,421 (2.6%) patients received at least one unit of packed red blood cells within 48 hours of surgery, and 8044 (0.51%) experienced the composite outcome of stroke/myocardial infarction. Patients who were transfused were older, more likely to be women, and had more comorbid disease. Hierarchical logistic regression adjusted for comorbidities and demographics with random effects by hospital showed that transfusion of as little as one unit was associated with an odds ratio of 2.33 (95% confidence interval 1.90 to 2.86) for perioperative stroke/myocardial infarction, and the odds of stroke/myocardial infarction markedly increased with transfusion of four or more units. Subgroup analysis limiting the cohort to one of several common surgical procedures, excluding those who received two or more units, or excluding who received transfusion on postoperative day one showed substantially similar results, as did a matched propensity score analysis. Two methods of modeling unmeasured confounders suggest an odds ratio of >10 with imbalance of up to 47% between patients who did and did not receive transfusion would be required to invalidate our results.

CONCLUSIONS

A perioperative transfusion of one unit of packed red blood cells is associated with increased odds of perioperative ischemic stroke and/or myocardial infarction, even after adjustment for a wide range of factors in our data and despite extensive sensitivity analyses.