Preoperative Blood Transfusion Requirements for Hemorrhoidal Severe Anemia: A Retrospective Study of 128 Patients.

BACKGROUND Severe anemia caused by hemorrhoidal hematochezia is typically treated preoperatively with reference to severe anemia treatment strategies from other etiologies. This retrospective cohort study included 128 patients with hemorrhoidal severe anemia admitted to 3 hospitals from September 1, 2018, to August 1, 2023, and aimed to evaluate preoperative blood transfusion requirements. MATERIAL AND METHODS Of 5120 patients with hemorrhoids, 128 (2.25%; male/female: 72/56) experienced hemorrhoidal severe anemia, transfusion, and Milligan-Morgan surgery. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on their preoperative hemoglobin (PHB) levels after transfusion: PHB ≥70 g/L as the liberal-transfusion group (LG), and PHB <70 as the restrictive-threshold group (RG). The general condition, bleeding duration, hemoglobin level on admission, transfusion volume, length of stay, immune transfusion reaction, surgical duration, and hospitalization cost were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS Patients with severe anemia (age: 41.07±14.76) tended to be younger than those with common hemorrhoids (age: 49.431±15.59 years). The LG had a significantly higher transfusion volume (4.77±2.22 units), frequency of immune transfusion reactions (1.22±0.58), and hospitalization costs (16.69±3.31 thousand yuan) than the RG, which had a transfusion volume of 3.77±2.09 units, frequency of immune transfusion reactions of 0.44±0.51, and hospitalization costs of 15.00±3.06 thousand yuan. Surgical duration in the LG (25.69±14.71 min) was significantly lower than that of the RG (35.24±18.72 min). CONCLUSIONS Patients with hemorrhoids with severe anemia might require a lower preoperative transfusion threshold than the currently recognized threshold, with an undifferentiated treatment effect and additional benefits.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Postoperative Visual Loss after Cardiac Surgical Procedures: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT: Postoperative visual loss (POVL) is an infrequent yet consequential complication that can follow cardiac surgical interventions. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the incidence of POVL after cardiac surgery and to delineate the associated risk factors. A comprehensive search was conducted in major medical databases for relevant studies published up to September 2022. Eligible studies reporting on the incidence of POVL and identifying risk factors in patients undergoing cardiac surgery were included. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers. The pooled incidence rates and the identified risk factors were synthesized qualitatively. POVL after cardiac surgery has an overall incidence of 0.015%, that is, 15 cases per 100,000 cardiac surgical procedures. Risk factors for POVL include patient characteristics (advanced age, diabetes, hypertension, and preexisting ocular conditions), procedural factors (prolonged surgery duration, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and aortic cross-clamping), anesthetic considerations (hypotension, blood pressure fluctuations, and specific techniques), and postoperative complications (stroke, hypotension, and systemic hypoperfusion). Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is an uncommon complication, associated with factors like prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass, low hematocrit levels, excessive body weight gain, specific medications, hypothermia, anemia, raised intraocular pressure, and micro-embolization. Diabetic patients with severe postoperative anemia are at increased risk for anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (PION) can occur with factors like hypertension, postoperative edema, prolonged mechanical ventilation, micro-embolization, inflammation, hemodilution, and hypothermia.While the overall incidence of POVL postcardiac surgery remains modest, its potential impact is substantial, necessitating meticulous consideration of modifiable risk factors. Notably, prolonged surgical duration, intraoperative hypotension, anemia, and reduced hematocrit levels remain salient contributors. Vigilance is indispensable to promptly detect this infrequent yet visually debilitating phenomenon in the context of postcardiac surgical care.

Resumen ejecutivo del documento de consenso sobre el manejo de la anemia perioperatoria en España / Executive summary of the consensus document on the management of perioperative anemia in Spain

La anemia perioperatoria constituye un factor independiente de riesgo de morbimortalidad posoperatoria. Sin embargo, persisten barreras conceptuales, logísticas y administrativas que dificultan la implementación generalizada de protocolos para su manejo. El coordinador del proyecto convocó a un grupo multidisciplinar de ocho profesionales para elaborar un documento de consenso sobre el manejo de la anemia perioperatoria, con base a en serie puntos claves (PCs) relativos a su prevalencia, consecuencias, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Estos PCs fueron evaluados utilizando una escala Likert de 5 puntos, desde «totalmente en desacuerdo [1]» a «totalmente de acuerdo [5]». Cada PC se consideró consensuado si recibía una puntuación de 4 o 5 por al menos siete participantes (> 75%). A partir de los 36 PCs consensuados, se construyeron algoritmos diagnóstico-terapéuticos que pueden facilitar la implementación de programas de identificación precoz y manejo adecuado de la anemia perioperatoria, adaptados a las características de las instituciones hospitalarias de nuestro país.(AU)

Perioperative anemia is an independent risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, conceptual, logistical and administrative barriers persist that hinder the widespread implementation of protocols for their management. The project coordinator convened a multidisciplinary group of 9 experienced professionals to develop perioperative anemia management algorithms, based on a series of key points (KPs) related to its prevalence, consequences, diagnosis and treatment. These KPs were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale, from “strongly disagree [1]” to “strongly agree [5]”. For each KP, consensus was reached when receiving a score of 4 or 5 from at least 7 participants (>75%). Based on the 36 KPs agreed upon, diagnostic-therapeutic algorithms were developed that we believe can facilitate the implementation of programs for early identification and adequate management of perioperative anemia, adapted to the characteristics of the different institutions in our country.(AU)

Development of a Risk Assessment Model for Predicting Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Neonatal Patients.

BACKGROUND: The goal was to develop a risk assessment model for predicting red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in neonatal patients to assist hospital blood supply departments in providing small portions of RBCs to those requiring RBC transfusion on time. METHODS: Clinical information was collected from 1,201 children admitted to the neonatal unit. Clinical factors associated with predicting RBC transfusion were screened, and prediction models were developed using stepwise and multifactorial logistic regression analyses, followed by the evaluation of prediction models using receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: Overall, 81 neonatal patients were transfused with RBCs, and the variables of gestational age at birth, age < 1 month, receipt of mechanical ventilation, and infant anemia were included in the final prediction model. The area under the curve of the prediction model was 0.936 (0.921 - 0.949), which was significantly higher than that of the individual indicators of gestational age at birth, age at admission < 1 month, receipt of mechanical ventilation, and infant anemia (p < 0.001). DCA showed a standardized net benefit for the possible risk of infant RBC transfusion at 0.1 - 1.0. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a risk assessment model to predict the risk of RBC transfusion in neonatal patients that can effectively assess the risk of RBC transfusion in children.

Anti-inflammatory therapies are associated with delayed onset of anemia and reduction in transfusion requirements in critically ill patients: results from two studies.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a hallmark of critical illness, which is largely inflammatory driven. We hypothesized that the use of anti-inflammatory agents limits the development of anemia and reduces the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in patients with a hyper-inflammatory condition due to COVID-19. METHODS: An observational cohort (n = 772) and a validation cohort (a subset of REMAP-CAP, n = 119) of critically ill patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 were analyzed, who either received no treatment, received steroids or received steroids plus IL-6 blocking agents. The trajectory of hemoglobin (Hb) decline and the need for RBC transfusions were compared using descriptive statistics as well as multivariate modeling. RESULTS: In both cohorts, Hb level was higher in the treated groups compared to the untreated group at all time points. In the observational cohort, incidence and number of transfused patients were lower in the group receiving the combination treatment compared to the untreated groups. In a multivariate analysis controlling for baseline Hb imbalance and mechanical ventilation, receipt of steroids remained associated with a slower decline in Hb level and the combination treatment remained associated with a slower decline of Hb and with less transfusions. Results remained the same in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: Immunomodulatory treatment was associated with a slower decline in Hb level in critically ill patients with COVID-19 and with less transfusion. Findings point toward inflammation as an important cause for the occurrence of anemia in the critically ill.

Risk factors of in-hospital mortality and discriminating capacity of NIVO score in exacerbations of COPD requiring noninvasive ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) is recommended as the initial mode of ventilation to treat acute respiratory failure in patients with AECOPD. The Noninvasive Ventilation Outcomes (NIVO) score has been proposed to evaluate the prognosis in patients with AECOPD requiring assisted NIV. However, it is not validated in Chinese patients. METHODS: We used data from the MAGNET AECOPD Registry study, which is a prospective, noninterventional, multicenter, real-world study conducted between September 2017 and July 2021 in China. Data for the potential risk factors of mortality were collected and the NIVO score was calculated, and the in-hospital mortality was evaluated using the NIVO risk score. RESULTS: A total of 1164 patients were included in the study, and 57 patients (4.9%) died during their hospital stay. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age ≥75 years, DBP <60 mmHg, Glasgow Coma Scale ≤14, anemia and BUN >7 mmol/L were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. The in-hospital mortality was associated with an increase in the risk level of NIVO score and the difference was statistically significant (p < .001). The NIVO risk score showed an acceptable accuracy for predicting the in-hospital mortality in AECOPD requiring assisted NIV (AUC: 0.657, 95% CI: 0.584-0.729, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Our findings identified predictors of mortality in patients with AECOPD receiving NIV, providing useful information to identify severe patients and guide the management of AECOPD. The NIVO score showed an acceptable predictive value for AECOPD receiving NIV in Chinese patients, and additional studies are needed to develop and validate predictive scores based on specific populations.

Red blood cell transfusion in neurocritical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anemia can lead to secondary brain damage by reducing arterial oxygen content and brain oxygen supply. Patients with acute brain injury have impaired self-regulation. Brain hypoxia may also occur even in mild anemia. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is associated with increased postoperative complications, poor neurological recovery, and mortality in critically ill neurologic patients. Balancing the risks of anemia and red blood cell transfusion-associated adverse effects is challenging in neurocritical settings. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, and MEDLINE (PubMed) from inception to January 31, 2024. We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing liberal versus restrictive RBC transfusion strategies in neurocritical patients. We included all relevant studies published in English. The primary outcome was mortality at intensive care unit (ICU), discharge, and six months. RESULTS: Of 5195 records retrieved, 84 full-text articles were reviewed, and five eligible studies were included. There was no significant difference between the restrictive and liberal transfusion groups in ICU mortality (RR: 2.53, 95% CI: 0.53 to 12.13), in-hospital mortality (RR: 2.34, 95% CI: 0.50 to 11.00), mortality at six months (RR: 1.42, 95% CI: 0.42 to 4.78) and long-term mortality (RR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.64 to 2.33). The occurrence of neurological adverse events and most major non-neurological complications was similar in the two groups. The incidence of deep venous thrombosis was lower in the restrictive strategy group (RR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the small sample size of current studies, the evidence is insufficiently robust to confirm definitive conclusions for neurocritical patients. Therefore, further investigation is encouraged to define appropriate RBC transfusion thresholds in the neurocritical setting.

Predictors for anaemia, blood transfusion and outcome in plastic surgery patients.

OBJECTIVE: In patients undergoing plastic surgery, to identify specific risk factors for anaemia and use of blood products, and assess their impact on patient outcome. METHOD: For this retrospective study, data were analysed from patients who attended the Plastic Surgery Department at our hospital over a three-year period (2018 to 2020). Adult patients who presented with traumatic injuries, oncologic patients who underwent reconstructive procedures, and patients with soft tissue infections (STIs) who required plastic surgery for tissue coverage were included. Demographic and injury data, hospital admission characteristics, surgical procedures, laboratory test results, transfusion events, and in-hospital complications were extracted from patient records. RESULTS: Of the 350 patients included in the study, 228 (65%) presented with trauma, 76 (22%) underwent reconstructive surgery for cancers and 46 (13%) had STIs. In total, 175 (50%) patients developed anaemia, and 37 (11%) received blood transfusions; these were 20 (54%), 5 (14%), and 12 (32%) patients in the trauma, cancer and STI groups, respectively. Associated comorbidities and upper and lower limb surgery were the most significant risk factors for anaemia, while the number of surgeries and NSTIs were identified as risk factors for blood transfusions. Direct wound closure was consistently a protective factor for both anaemia and blood transfusions. Blood transfusions were independently associated with a high risk of sepsis, wound complications, and prolonged hospital stay. CONCLUSION: While transfusions are necessary and even lifesaving in surgical patients, blood is a finite resource and its use may negatively impact patient outcome. Therefore, ongoing research must focus on providing safe and restrictive clinical practices while developing sustainable and accessible alternatives.

[How I explore anemia in children]. / Comment j'explore une anémie chez l'enfant.

Anemia is a common problem in pediatrics. The most frequent cause is iron deficiency, but it can also be associated to a constitutional or acquired pathology of the bone marrow or red blood cells. We describe a practical approach for rapidly guiding the diagnosis and management of anemia in children. It is based on the history and clinical examination, mean corpuscular volume, ferritinemia, reticulocytosis and hemolytic profile.

L'anémie est un problème commun en pédiatrie. Sa cause la plus fréquente est la carence en fer mais elle peut aussi être liée à une pathologie constitutionnelle ou acquise de la moelle osseuse ou du globule rouge. Nous décrivons une approche pratique pour orienter rapidement la démarche diagnostique et la prise en charge de l'anémie chez l'enfant. Elle se base sur l'histoire personnelle et l'examen clinique, le volume globulaire moyen, le dosage de la ferritinémie, la réticulocytose et le profil hémolytique.

In acute MI and anemia, restrictive vs. liberal transfusion did not differ for a composite of recurrent MI or death at 30 d.

SOURCE CITATION: Carson JL, Brooks MM, Hebert PC, et al; MINT Investigators. Restrictive or liberal transfusion strategy in myocardial infarction and anemia. N Engl J Med. 2023;389:2446-2456. 37952133.

Impact of Red Blood Cell Transfusion on Subsequent Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Acute Heart Failure and Anemia.

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion therapy is often performed in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) and anemia; however, its impact on subsequent cardiovascular events is unclear. We examined whether RBC transfusion influences major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after discharge in patients with AHF and anemia.We classified patients with AHF and anemia (nadir hemoglobin level < 10 g/dL) according to whether they received RBC transfusion during hospitalization. The endpoint was MACE (composite of all-cause death, non-fatal acute coronary syndrome/stroke, or heart failure readmission) 180 days after discharge. For survival analysis, we used propensity score matching analysis with the log-rank test. As sensitivity analysis, we performed inverse probability weighting analysis and multivariable Cox regression analysis.Among 448 patients with AHF and anemia (median age, 81 years; male, 55%), 155 received RBC transfusion and 293 did not. The transfused patients had worse clinical features than the non-transfused patients, with lower levels of nadir hemoglobin and serum albumin and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. In the propensity-matched cohort of 87 pairs, there was no significant difference in the MACE-free survival rate between the 2 groups (transfused, 73.8% vs. non-transfused, 65.3%; P = 0.317). This result was consistent in the inverse probability weighting analysis (transfused, 76.0% vs. non-transfused, 68.7%; P = 0.512), and RBC transfusion was not significantly associated with post-discharge MACE in the multivariable Cox regression analysis (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.468, 95% confidence interval: 0.976-2.207; P = 0.065).In conclusion, this study suggests that RBC transfusions for anemia may not improve clinical outcomes in patients with AHF.

Theranova versus FX80: The impact on anemia management in hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Middle uremic toxins (MUTs) can cause anemia and erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness. Theranova dialyzers may improve anemia management by removing MUTs. Hence, the impact of Theranova dialyzers on erythropoietin responsiveness was studied. METHODS: This exploratory single-center prospective observational study, encompassing 50 patients undergoing dialysis with either the Theranova-400 or FX80 membrane for 6 months, involved monthly tracking of hemoglobin levels, weight-adjusted erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (w-ESA) dosing, and erythropoietin resistance index (ERI), with ESA treatment decisions guided by a proprietary algorithm. RESULTS: The groups were similar in terms of demographics and baseline laboratory test results. The median hemoglobin levels, w-ESA and ERI, were found to be similar between FX80 and Theranova-400 groups at both baseline (11.06 vs 10.57, p = 0.808; 92.3 vs 105.2, p = 0.838; 8.1 vs 10.48, p = 0.876) and the end of the study (11.43 vs 11.03, p = 0.076; 48.7 vs 71.5; 4.48 vs 6.41, p = 0.310), respectively. There was a trend toward lower w-ESA and ERI at the end of the study compared to baseline in both groups, but the difference was non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study of 50 patients undergoing high-flux dialysis with near-target hemoglobin levels, switching to Theranova 400 dialyzers compared to FX80 dialyzers did not show statistically significant differences in maintaining hemoglobin levels, reducing ESA dose, or lowering ERI. The non-randomized design and small sample size limit the study's power to detect true differences. Larger, randomized trials are needed to confirm findings and definitively assess Theranova 400's benefits.

Transfusion targets and adverse events in pediatric perioperative acute Anemia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between pretransfusion and posttransfusion hemoglobin concentrations and the outcomes of children undergoing noncardiac surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective review of patient records. We focused on initial postoperative hemoglobin concentrations, which may provide a more useful representation of transfusion adequacy than pretransfusion hemoglobin triggers (the latter often cannot be obtained during acute surgical hemorrhage). SETTING: Single-center, observational cohort study. PATIENTS: We evaluated all pediatric patients undergoing noncardiac surgery who received intraoperative red blood cell transfusions from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2018. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS: Associations between pre- and posttransfusion hemoglobin concentrations (g/dL), hospital-free days, intensive care unit admission, postoperative mechanical ventilation, and infectious complications were evaluated with multivariable regression modeling. MAIN RESULTS: In total, 113,713 unique noncardiac surgical procedures in pediatric patients were evaluated, and 741 procedures met inclusion criteria (median [range] age, 7 [1-14] years). Four hundred ninety-eight patients (68%) with a known preoperative hemoglobin level had anemia; of these, 14% had a preexisting diagnosis of anemia in their health record. Median (IQR) pretransfusion hemoglobin concentration was 8.1 (7.4-9.2) g/dL and median (IQR) initial postoperative hemoglobin concentration was 10.4 (9.3-11.6) g/dL. Each decrease of 1 g/dL in the initial postoperative hemoglobin concentration was associated with increased odds of transfusion within the first 24 postoperative hours (odds ratio [95% CI], 1.62 [1.37-1.93]; P < .001). No significant relationships were observed between postoperative hemoglobin concentrations and hospital-free days (P = .56), intensive care unit admission (P = .71), postoperative mechanical ventilation (P = .63), or infectious complications (P = .74). CONCLUSIONS: In transfused patients, there was no association between postoperative hemoglobin values and clinical outcomes, except the need for subsequent transfusion. Most transfused patients presented to the operating room with anemia, which suggests a potential opportunity for perioperative optimization of health before surgery.

Efficacy and safety of restrictive versus liberal blood transfusion strategies in acute myocardial infarction and anemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion strategies in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and anemia are yet to be conclusively identified. Thus, we aim to assess the efficacy and safety of restrictive versus liberal blood transfusion strategies for AMI and anemia. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) retrieved from PubMed, web of science, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were performed through November 2023. We used RevMan V. 5.4 to pool dichotomous data using risk ratio (RR) and continuous data using mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). (PROSPERO): ID: CRD42023490692. RESULTS: We included four RCTs with 4.325 patients. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding MACE whether at 30 days (RR: 0.93 with 95% CI [0.57-1.51], P  = 0.76) or ≥ six months (RR: 1.17 with 95% CI [0.95-1.45], P  = 0.14), all-cause mortality at 30 days (RR: 1.16 with 95% CI [0.95-1.40], P  = 0.14) or ≥ six months (RR: 1.16 with 95% CI [0.88-1.53], P  = 0.28). However, the liberal strategy was significantly associated with increased hemoglobin level change (MD: -1.44 with 95% CI [-1.68 to -1.20], P  < 0.00001). However, the restrictive strategy was significantly associated with a lower incidence of acute lung injury (RR: 0.11 with 95% CI [0.02-0.60], P  = 0.01). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between the restrictive blood transfusion strategy and the liberal blood transfusion strategy regarding the clinical outcomes. However, restrictive blood transfusion strategy was significantly associated with a lower incidence of acute lung injury than liberal blood transfusion strategy.

Alternative blood transfusion triggers: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND: Anemia, characterized by low hemoglobin levels, is a global public health concern. Anemia is an independent factor worsening outcomes in various patient groups. Blood transfusion has been the traditional treatment for anemia; its triggers, primarily based on hemoglobin levels; however, hemoglobin level is not always an ideal trigger for blood transfusion. Additionally, blood transfusion worsens clinical outcomes in certain patient groups. This narrative review explores alternative triggers for red blood cell transfusion and their physiological basis. MAIN TEXT: The review delves into the physiology of oxygen transport and highlights the limitations of using hemoglobin levels alone as transfusion trigger. The main aim of blood transfusion is to optimize oxygen delivery, necessitating an individualized approach based on clinical signs of anemia and the balance between oxygen delivery and consumption, reflected by the oxygen extraction rate. The narrative review covers different alternative triggers. It presents insights into their diagnostic value and clinical applications, emphasizing the need for personalized transfusion strategies. CONCLUSION: Anemia and blood transfusion are significant factors affecting patient outcomes. While restrictive transfusion strategies are widely recommended, they may not account for the nuances of specific patient populations. The search for alternative transfusion triggers is essential to tailor transfusion therapy effectively, especially in patients with comorbidities or unique clinical profiles. Investigating alternative triggers not only enhances patient care by identifying more precise indicators but also minimizes transfusion-related risks, optimizes blood product utilization, and ensures availability when needed. Personalized transfusion strategies based on alternative triggers hold the potential to improve outcomes in various clinical scenarios, addressing anemia's complex challenges in healthcare. Further research and evidence are needed to refine these alternative triggers and guide their implementation in clinical practice.