Preoperative anemia in elective cardiac surgery: prevalence, risk factors, and influence on postoperative outcome.

This retrospective observational single-center study confirms a high prevalence of preoperative anemia (36.5%) in patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery. Anemia is clinically relevant because it was associated with increased allogeneic blood transfusion requirements and postoperative morbidity. Logistic regression analysis revealed age, chronic kidney disease and drug intake (proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, ACE inhibitors) as independent risk factors for preoperative anemia. The authors recommend early recognition and anemia correction based on pathophysiological considerations. This article will hopefully increase clinicians’ awareness for preoperative anemia correction and trigger further prospective studies in the field of patient blood management.

– Sibylle A. Kozek-Langenecker