Monday October 15, 2007
Look for leukoreduced RBCs ?

Studies after studies are now pointing towards conservative practice of transfusion in ICU. This month "Chest" has published another study to assess effect of RBC transfusion on in-hospital mortality in 248 consecutive patients with already having ALI.

Results:

• Overall in-hospital mortality rate was 39.5% (Of these patients, 207 of 248 patients received atleast 1 unit of packed RBCs
• The transfusion of any packed RBCs was associated with an increased risk of death.
• The overall OR (odds ratio) per unit was 1.06
• Transfusion after ALI onset was associated with an adjusted OR of 1.13, while transfusion before ALI onset was not associated with higher risk
• The adjusted OR per unit of nonleukoreduced RBC transfused was 1.14, while the adjusted OR for leukoreduced cells per unit transfused was 1.06

Conclusions:

• Transfusion of RBCs in patients with ALI was associated with increased in-hospital mortality.
• This risk was greater for nonleukoreduced than for leukoreduced RBCs.

Reference: click to get abstract

1. Association of RBC Transfusion With Mortality in Patients With Acute Lung Injury - Chest. October 2007; 132:1116-1123