Relationship between red blood cell transfusion and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This single-center retrospective observational cohort study with propensity score adjustment was conducted to investigate the association between perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and short-term outcomes in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Adult patients who underwent isolated CABG at our center between September 30, 2021 and February 29, 2024 were included. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received RBC transfusion (RBC+ group) and those who did not (RBC- group) perioperatively. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize the influence of potential confounding factors between groups. The clinical outcomes, including composite infectious complications, composite ischemic events, and in-hospital mortality, were compared between groups. RESULTS: Before PSM, 186 patients were included in the RBC+ group and 177 in the RBC- group. The RBC+ group had significantly higher rates of composite infectious complications, composite ischemic events, and in-hospital mortality than the RBC- group (all P < 0.001). After PSM (96 patients in each group), the RBC+ group still had significantly higher rates of composite infectious complications (P = 0.014) and composite ischemic events (P = 0.002) than the RBC- group; however, no statistically significant difference in in-hospital mortality was observed between the two groups (P = 0.155). In the RBC+ group, higher transfusion volumes were associated with a higher incidence of adverse clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Perioperative RBC transfusion was associated with a higher incidence of adverse postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing isolated CABG.
Source: BMC Surgery
Authors: Xinyu Guan, Wei Liu, Zhongyu Kang, Xueya Han, Daihong Li
Institution: Tianjin First Center Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Biochemistry
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W7155098835