Considerations on the Transfusion Threshold in Cardiac Surgery

Considerations on the Transfusion Threshold in Cardiac Surgery

This is a retrospective observational study of the transfusion threshold in cardiac surgery.

There is controversy in the literature regarding the transfusion threshold to be adopted, especially in a patient who has undergone cardiac surgery. Some authors suggest that the transfusion should be done in a restrictive way when a certain threshold in hemoglobin is reached, in order to avoid the risks it implies, especially infectious.This threshold is very controversial and remains to be defined (variations in the literature from 7g / dL to 9g / dL). Other authors conclude that there is no superiority of a restrictive transfusion compared to a more liberal transfusion, with regard to the morbidity or medical costs.

It is therefore interesting to study, in a retrospective manner, the global and multidisciplinary management of patients who have undergone a cardiac surgery within the CHU Brugmann hospital, to analyze if they have been adequately transfused.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients having undergone cardiac surgery (other than the placement of a pacemaker or defibrillator) within the CHU Brugmann hospital between 2006 and 2015

Exclusion Criteria:

• N/A