Abstract
Introduction: Several studies have established a relationship between the preoperative haemoglobin level and the need for postoperative blood transfusion. The aim of this study was to identify clinical factors associated with the need for perioperative blood transfusion in non-anaemic patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty.
Methods: We prospectively evaluated 162 consecutive patients who underwent total hip or knee arthroplasty in the period between January 2001 and April 2001 in our centres. A univariate analysis was performed to establish the relationship between all independent variables and the need for postoperative transfusion, with significant variables being included in a multivariate analysis.
Results: Univariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between the need for postoperative blood transfusion and preoperative haemoglobin levels (p=0.001), weight (p=0.019), and age (p=0.018). Multivariate analysis identified a significant relationship only between the need for transfusion and the preoperative haemoglobin level (p=0.0001). Patients with a preoperative haemoglobin level of < 13g/dl had a 1.5 times greater risk of having a transfusion than did those with a haemoglobin level of 13–15g/dl and a 4 times greater risk of having a transfusion than did those with a haemoglobin level > 15 g/dl.
Conclusion: The preoperative haemoglobin level of the patient was the only variable to independently predict the need for blood transfusion after arthroplasty. Patients with a haemoglobin level < 13.0g/dl were 4 times more likely to have a transfusion than those with a haemoglobin level > 15g/dl.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
