Preoperative Anemia Independently Predicts Significantly Increased Odds of Short-Term Complications Following Aseptic Revision Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anemia is an important risk factor for developing complications following revision hip (rTHA) and knee (rTKA) arthroplasty. We aim to determine the effect of anemia severity on 30-day postoperative complications following revision hip and knee arthroplasty. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program Database. All patients who underwent revision joint arthroplasty (rTJA) between 2006 to 2017 were identified and grouped based upon the hematocrit (Hct) level. Anemia was defined as Hct <36% for women and <39% for men, and further stratified into mild anemia (Hct 33% to 36% for women, Hct 33% to 39% for men), and moderate to severe anemia (Hct <33% for both men and women). Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to evaluate the incidence of multiple adverse events within 30 days after TJA. RESULTS: A total of 8932 patients undergoing rTHA and 13,313 patients undergoing rTKA were included for analysis. On multivariate adjustment, patients undergoing rTHA with moderate to severe anemia had an increased odds of 5.437 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 4.604 to 6.421; P < .001) of developing any postoperative complication. On multivariate adjustment, patients undergoing rTKA with moderate to severe anemia had increased odds of 6.731 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 5.540 to 8.179; P < .001) of developing any postoperative complication. CONCLUSION: The increasing severity of anemia was associated with an increasing risk of developing any postoperative complication and death following revision hip and knee arthroplasty. There is a significant trend between diminishing preoperative hematocrit levels and increasing odds of postoperative complication.