Cardiopulmonary bypass without transfusions of red blood cells did not
affect the recovery of uncomplicated congenital heart surgery in
children with bodyweights of 8-17kg
Abstract
Background:Most cardiac surgeries with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in
children need transfusions of packed red blood cells (PRBCs), but the
risks and benefits of transfusions remain controversial. There are still
few studies on the outcome of transfusion or not during CPB in children
with bodyweights of 8-17kg undergoing cardiac surgery, so we aim to
investigate the effects of PRBCs transfusions during CPB. Methods: A
total of 155 children with bodyweights of 8-17kg undergoing
uncomplicated congenital heart surgery with CPB were divided into the
non-transfusion group (group A, n=60) and transfusion group (group B,
n=95) according to whether they were transfused perioperatively. By
using a propensity score matching method, 55 patients were ultimately
included in each group. The perioperative hematological test results and
recovery of patients were compared by the independent sample t-tests or
the chi-squares tests. Postoperative follow-up information within 0.5 to
2.5 years was also collected. Results: Hb before CPB was higher in group
A than in group B (p<0.05). There were no differences in Hb
during CPB or before hospital discharge, except that the Hb on the first
day after surgery was lower in group A than in group B
(p<0.05). There were no differences in the hematological test
results, postoperative recovery or follow-up outcomes between the two
groups. Conclusions: Non-transfusion CPB does not affect the Hb
concentrations before hospital discharge, the postoperative recovery or
short-term follow-up outcomes in children with bodyweights of 8-17kg
undergoing uncomplicated congenital heart surgery, indicating these
children can avoid transfusions.