Predictors of Blood Transfusion in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Objectives: The aim of this retrospective study is to identify intraoperative patient's characteristics predicting the need for blood transfusion during CABG in our local cardiac surgical service. Methods: This study included 1835 consecutive patients, 1311 males and 524 females with mean age 58.8 +/- 9.9 years, undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Risk factors detected by univariate study were entered in a multivariate logistic regression model of the relationship between preoperative variables and blood transfusion. Results: Blood transfusion was used in 435 patients (29.9%). Univariate analysis identified hemoglobin, smoking, hypertension, sex, diabetes, BMI and use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) as significant predictors. Multivariate analysis revealed hemoglobin (OR: 0.8; CI: 0.74-0.86; P<0.001), CPB use (OR: 12.2; CI: 8.2-18.1; P<0.001) and female gender (OR: 2.29; CI: 1.72-3.04; P<0.001) as independent risk factors for blood transfusion. Conclusions: The predictors of RBC transfusion after isolated CABG were performing CPB, preoperative hemoglobin and female gender. These factors can be used as a clinical tool to preserve blood bank resources without increasing patient's risk.