Red Cell Storage Duration and Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery

Red Cell Storage Duration and Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery

The purpose of this study is to determine whether length of storage of RBC is related to postoperative morbid outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Subjects undergoing cardiac surgery will be randomized into one of two groups. Group A will receive transfused blood that has storage duration less than 14 days. Group B will receive transfused blood with a storage duration of more than 20 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All primary and reoperative adult cardiac surgical patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for coronary artery bypass grafting, coronary artery bypass grafting with a valve procedure, isolated valve procedures, ascending aortic aneurysm or dissection repair alone or combined with CABG and valve procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age less than 18 years
• Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repairs
• Left or right ventricular assist devices
• Those unable to receive blood for religious reasons