Transfusion in orthopaedic surgery : a retrospective multicentre cohort study.

AIMS: Orthopaedic surgeries are complex, frequently performed procedures associated with significant haemorrhage and perioperative blood transfusion. Given refinements in surgical techniques and changes to transfusion practices, we aim to describe contemporary transfusion practices in orthopaedic surgery in order to inform perioperative planning and blood banking requirements. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent orthopaedic surgery at four Canadian hospitals between 2014 and 2016. We studied all patients admitted to hospital for nonarthroscopic joint surgeries, amputations, and fracture surgeries. For each surgery and surgical subgroup, we characterized the proportion of patients who received red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, the mean/median number of RBC units transfused, and exposure to platelets and plasma. RESULTS: Of the 14,584 included patients, the most commonly performed surgeries were knee arthroplasty (24.8%), hip arthroplasty (24.6%), and hip fracture surgery (17.4%). A total of 10.3% of patients received RBC transfusion; the proportion of patients receiving RBC transfusions varied widely based on the surgical subgroup (0.0% to 33.1%). Primary knee arthroplasty and hip arthroplasty, the two most common surgeries, were associated with in-hospital transfusion frequencies of 2.8% and 4.5%, respectively. RBC transfusion occurred in 25.0% of hip fracture surgeries, accounting for the greatest total number of RBC units transfused in our cohort (38.0% of all transfused RBC units). Platelet and plasma transfusions were uncommon. CONCLUSION: Orthopaedic surgeries were associated with variable rates of transfusion. The rate of RBC transfusion is highly dependent on the surgery type. Identifying surgeries with the highest transfusion rates, and further evaluation of factors that contribute to transfusion in identified at-risk populations, can serve to inform perioperative planning and blood bank requirements, and facilitate pre-emptive transfusion mitigation strategies. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(10):850-857.

Prophylactic tranexamic acid use in non-cardiac surgeries at high risk for transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces transfusion in a wide range of surgical populations, although its real-world use in non-cardiac surgeries has not been well described. The objective of this study was to describe prophylactic TXA use in non-cardiac surgeries at high risk for transfusion. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of all adult patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery at ≥5% risk of perioperative transfusion at five Canadian hospitals between January 2014 and December 2016. Canadian Classification of Health Interventions procedure codes within the Discharge Abstract Database were linked to transfusion and laboratory databases. TXA use was ascertained electronically from The Ottawa Hospital Data Warehouse and via manual chart review for Winnipeg hospitals. For each surgery, we evaluated the percentage of patients who received TXA as well as the specifics of TXA dosing and administration. RESULTS: TXA use was evaluable in 14 300 patients. Overall, 17% of surgeries received TXA, ranging from 0% to 68% among individual surgeries. TXA use was more common in orthopaedic (n = 2043/4942; 41%) and spine surgeries (n = 239/1322; 18%) compared to other surgical domains (n = 109/8036; 1%). TXA was commonly administered as a bolus (n = 2097/2391; 88%). The median TXA dose was 1000 mg (IQR 1000-1000 mg). CONCLUSION: TXA is predominantly used in orthopaedic and spine surgeries, with little uptake in other non-cardiac surgeries at high risk for red blood cell transfusion. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TXA and to understand the barriers to TXA administration in a broad range of non-cardiac surgeries.

Variation in prophylactic tranexamic acid administration among anesthesiologists and surgeons in orthopedic surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces red blood cell transfusion in various orthopedic surgeries, yet the degree of practice variation in its use among anesthesiologists and surgeons has not been described. To target future knowledge transfer and implementation strategies, and to better understand determinants of variability in prophylactic TXA use, our primary objective was to evaluate the influence of surgical team members on the variability of prophylactic TXA administration. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of all adult patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), hip fracture surgery, and spine fusion ± vertebrectomy at two Canadian hospitals between January 2014 and December 2016. We used Canadian Classification of Health Interventions procedure codes within the Discharge Abstract Database which we linked to the Ottawa Data Warehouse. We described the percentage of patients that received TXA by individual surgery, the specifics of TXA dosing, and estimated the effect of anesthesiologists and surgeons on prophylactic TXA using multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: In the 3,900 patients studied, TXA was most commonly used in primary THA (85%; n = 1,344/1,582), with lower use in hip fracture (23%; n = 342/1,506) and spine fusion surgery (23%; n = 186/812). The median [interquartile range] total TXA dose was 1,000 [1,000-1,000] mg, given as a bolus in 92% of cases. Anesthesiologists and surgeons added significant variability to the odds of receiving TXA in hip fracture surgery and spine fusion, but not primary THA. Most of the variability in TXA use was attributed to patient and other factors. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the routine use of TXA in primary THA, while observing lower utilization with more variability in hip fracture and spine fusion surgery. Further study is warranted to understand variations in use and the barriers to TXA implementation in a broader population of orthopedic surgical patients at high risk for transfusion.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'acide tranexamique (ATX) réduit la transfusion d'érythrocytes dans diverses chirurgies orthopédiques. Cependant, les variations de pratique quant à son utilisation parmi les anesthésiologistes et les chirurgiens n'ont pas été décrites. Afin de cibler les stratégies futures de transfert des connaissances et de mise en œuvre, et pour mieux comprendre les déterminants de la variabilité dans l'utilisation prophylactique d'ATX, notre objectif principal était d'évaluer l'influence des membres de l'équipe chirurgicale sur la variabilité de l'administration prophylactique d'ATX. MéTHODE: Il s'agissait d'une étude de cohorte rétrospective de tous les patients adultes subissant une arthroplastie totale primaire de la hanche (ATH), une chirurgie de fracture de la hanche et une fusion intervertébrale ± vertébrectomie dans deux hôpitaux canadiens entre janvier 2014 et décembre 2016. Nous avons utilisé les codes de procédure de la Classification canadienne des interventions en santé dans la Base de données sur les congés des patients, que nous avons liée à la banque de données d'Ottawa. Nous avons décrit le pourcentage de patients qui ont reçu de l'ATX par chirurgie individuelle, les détails du dosage de l'ATX, et avons estimé l'effet des anesthésiologistes et des chirurgiens sur l'ATX prophylactique en réalisant des analyses de régression logistique multivariées à effets mixtes. RéSULTATS: Parmi les 3900 patients étudiés, l'ATX était le plus fréquemment utilisé lors d'une ATH primaire (85 %; n = 1344/1582), avec une utilisation plus faible lors de chirurgie de fracture de la hanche (23 %; n = 342/1506) et de chirurgie de fusion intervertébrale (23 %; n = 186/812). La dose totale médiane [écart interquartile] d'ATX était de 1000 mg [1000 à 1000], administrés dans 92 % des cas sous forme de bolus. Les anesthésiologistes et les chirurgiens ont ajouté une variabilité significative aux probabilités de recevoir de l'ATX lors d'une chirurgie de fracture de la hanche et de fusion, mais pas lors d'ATH primaire. La majeure partie de la variabilité dans l'utilisation d'ATX était attribuable aux facteurs liés au patient et à d'autres facteurs. CONCLUSION: Nous avons confirmé l'utilisation de routine de l'ATX dans l'ATH primaire, tout en observant une utilisation moins répandue et plus variable lors de chirurgie de fracture de la hanche et de fusion intervertébrale. Une étude plus approfondie est nécessaire pour comprendre les variations d'utilisation et les obstacles à la mise en œuvre de l'ATX dans une population plus étendue de patients de chirurgie orthopédique à haut risque de transfusion.

Evaluation of Transfusion Practices in Noncardiac Surgeries at High Risk for Red Blood Cell Transfusion: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Perioperative bleeding is a major indication for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, yet transfusion data in many major noncardiac surgeries are lacking and do not reflect recent blood conservation efforts. We aim to describe transfusion practices in noncardiac surgeries at high risk for RBC transfusion. We completed a retrospective cohort study to evaluate adult patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery at 5 Canadian hospitals between January 2014 and December 2016. We used Canadian Classification of Health Interventions procedure codes within the Discharge Abstract Database, which we linked to transfusion and laboratory databases. We studied all patients undergoing a major noncardiac surgery at ≥5% risk of perioperative RBC transfusion. For each surgery, we characterized the percentage of patients exposed to an RBC transfusion, the mean/median number of RBC units transfused, and platelet and plasma exposure. We identified 85 noncardiac surgeries with an RBC transfusion rate ≥5%, representing 25,607 patient admissions. The baseline RBC transfusion rate was 16%, ranging from 5% to 49% among individual surgeries. Of those transfused, the median (Q1, Q3) number of RBCs transfused was 2 U (1, 3 U); 39% received 1 U RBC, 36% received 2 U RBC, and 8% were transfused ≥5 U RBC. Platelet and plasma transfusions were overall low. In the era of blood conservation, we described transfusion practices in major noncardiac surgeries at high risk for RBC transfusion, which has implications for patient consent, preoperative surgical planning, and blood bank inventory management.

A multicenter review of infusion-related reactions to daratumumab for relapsed multiple myeloma in the real world setting.

BACKGROUND: Daratumumab is used in the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma. Daratumumab infusion-related reactions can occur with the highest incidence on the first infusion. METHODS: A retrospective review of all daratumumab infusions used as part of the DVd and DRd regimens for relapsed multiple myeloma was undertaken. The review of infusion-related reactions was conducted by reviewing the treatment room nursing note on the days that daratumumab was administered. If the patient experienced an infusion-related reaction, then the data captured included if the full dose was administered. RESULTS: Daratumumab infusion-related reactions occurred most frequently on the first dose. The rates of infusion-related reactions using a split dose approach for daratumumab administration were lower than that reported in clinical trials. All of the infusion-related reactions were managed with appropriate interventions in the outpatient setting. The adoption of rapid infusion daratumumab beginning with cycle 2 of DVd and DRd was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience of daratumumab infusions using a split dose approach was associated with an infusion-related reaction rate in 28% of patients on cycle 1, day 1 of DVd and DRd regimens. All patients were able to complete full doses of daratumumab by utilizing split dose. The rates of daratumumab infusion-related reactions are highest on the first infusion. In addition, our adoption of rapid infusion daratumumab was safe.

Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Major Non-Cardiac Surgeries at High Risk for Transfusion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces transfusion requirements in cardiac surgery and total hip and knee arthroplasty, where it has become standard of care. Our objective is to determine the efficacy and safety of TXA in other surgeries associated with a high risk for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. We identified randomized controlled trials in Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, and CAB abstracts from inception to June 2019. We included trials evaluating intraoperative IV TXA in adult patients undergoing a non-cardiac and non-hip and knee arthroplasty surgeries at high-risk for RBC transfusion, defined as a baseline transfusion rate ≥5% in comparator arm. We assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. We used GRADE methodology to assess certainty of evidence. From 8565 citations identified, we included 69 unique trials, enrolling 6157 patients. TXA reduces both the proportion of patients transfused RBCs (relative risk (RR) 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48 to 0.72; low certainty evidence) and the volume of RBC transfused (MD -0.51 RBC units; 95%CI -0.13 to -0.9 units; low certainty evidence) when compared to placebo or usual care. TXA was not associated with differences in deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, all-cause mortality, hospital length of stay, need for re-operation due to hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, stroke or seizure. In patients undergoing a broad range of non-cardiac and non-hip and knee arthroplasty surgeries at high risk for RBC transfusion, perioperative TXA reduced exposure to RBC transfusion. No differences in thrombotic outcomes were identified; however, summary effect estimates were limited by lack of systemic screening and short duration of follow-up.

Efficacy of iron supplementation on fatigue and physical capacity in non-anaemic iron-deficient adults: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Iron supplementation in iron-deficiency anaemia is standard practice, but the benefits of iron supplementation in iron-deficient non-anaemic (IDNA) individuals remains controversial. Our objective is to identify the effects of iron therapy on fatigue and physical capacity in IDNA adults. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). SETTING: Primary care. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (≥18 years) who were iron deficient but non-anaemic. INTERVENTIONS: Oral, intramuscular or intravenous iron supplementation; all therapy doses, frequencies and durations were included. COMPARATORS: Placebo or active therapy. RESULTS: We identified RCTs in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, SportDiscus and CAB Abstracts from inception to 31 October 2016. We searched the WHO's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for relevant ongoing trials and performed forward searches of included trials and relevant reviews in Web of Science. We assessed internal validity of included trials using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the external validity using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. From 11 580 citations, we included 18 unique trials and 2 companion papers enrolling 1170 patients. Using a Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model, iron supplementation was associated with reduced self-reported fatigue (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.38; 95% CI -0.52 to -0.23; I2 0%; 4 trials; 714 participants) but was not associated with differences in objective measures of physical capacity, including maximal oxygen consumption (SMD 0.11; 95% CI -0.15 to 0.37; I2 0%; 9 trials; 235 participants) and timed methods of exercise testing. Iron supplementation significantly increased serum haemoglobin concentration (MD 4.01 g/L; 95% CI 1.22 to 6.81; I2 48%; 12 trials; 298 participants) and serum ferritin (MD 9.23 µmol/L; 95% CI 6.48 to 11.97; I2 58%; 14 trials; 616 participants). CONCLUSION: In IDNA adults, iron supplementation is associated with reduced subjective measures of fatigue but not with objective improvements in physical capacity. Given the global prevalence of both iron deficiency and fatigue, patients and practitioners could consider consumption of iron-rich foods or iron supplementation to improve symptoms of fatigue in the absence of documented anaemia. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42014007085.