Red blood cell transfusion in acute brain injury subtypes: An observational cohort study

Rajat N. Moman, Daryl J. Kor, Arun Chandran, Andrew C. Hanson, Darrell R. Schroeder, Alejandro A. Rabinstein, Matthew A. Warner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Optimal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion thresholds in acute brain injury (ABI) are poorly defined. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with ABI and moderate anemia (Hb 7–10 g/dL) in a neurological intensive care unit (ICU) at an academic medical center between 2008 and 2015. Transfused and non-transfused patients were matched based on age, ABI subtype, pre-transfusion hemoglobin, and ICU length of stay (LOS) at the time of RBC transfusion. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between RBC transfusion and hospital LOS, hospital mortality, ICU LOS, ICU mortality, and 24 h change in sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores. Results: 2638 patients met inclusion criteria, with 225 (8.5%) receiving RBC transfusion. Acute ischemic stroke was the most prevalent ABI diagnosis (43.3%) then intracranial hemorrhage (25.6%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (16.5%), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) (14.6%). In multivariable analyses, RBC transfusion was associated with longer hospital and ICU LOS, and higher SOFA scores. Each ABI subtype had similar results, except for TBI which showed no difference in hospital LOS. Mortality was not significantly different. Conclusions: In moderately anemic patients with ABI, RBC transfusion was associated with longer hospital and ICU LOS. Prospective investigations are necessary to further assess these relationships.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)44-49
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Critical Care
Volume50
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2019

Keywords

  • Acute brain injury
  • Anemia
  • Length of stay
  • Mortality
  • Red blood cell transfusion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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