1.
Restrictive vs. Liberal Red Blood Cell Transfusion Strategy in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Anemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Zhang Y, Xu Z, Huang Y, Ye Q, Xie N, Zeng L, Lian X, Dai Y, Chen J, He P, et al
Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine. 2021;8:736163
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Abstract
Objective: Anemia is frequent in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and the optimal red blood cell transfusion strategy for AMI patients with anemia is still controversial. We aimed to compare the efficacy of restrictive and liberal red cell transfusion strategies in AMI patients with anemia. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov, from their inception until March 2021. Studies designed to compare the efficacy between restrictive and liberal red blood cell transfusion strategies in patients with AMI were included. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, including overall mortality, in-hospital or follow-up mortality. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were presented and pooled by random-effects models. Results: The search yielded a total of 6,630 participants in six studies. A total of 2,008 patients received restrictive red blood cell transfusion while 4,622 patients were given liberal red blood cell transfusion. No difference was found in overall mortality and follow-up mortality between restrictive and liberal transfusion groups (RR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.82-1.40, P = 0.62; RR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.56-1.42, P = 0.62). However, restrictive transfusion tended to have a higher risk of in-hospital mortality compared with liberal transfusion (RR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.00-1.50, P = 0.05). No secondary outcomes, including follow-up reinfarction, stroke, and acute heart failure, differed significantly between the two groups. In addition, subgroup analysis showed no differences in overall mortality between the two groups based on sample size and design. Conclusion: Restrictive and liberal red blood cell transfusion have a similar effect on overall mortality and follow-up mortality in AMI patients with anemia. However, restrictive transfusion tended to have a higher risk of in-hospital mortality compared with liberal transfusion. The findings suggest that transfusion strategy should be further evaluated in future studies.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with acute myocardial infarction and anaemia (6 studies, n= 6,630).
Intervention
Restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategy (n= 2,008).
Comparison
Liberal red blood cell transfusion strategy (n= 4,622).
Outcome
No difference was found in overall mortality and follow-up mortality between restrictive and liberal transfusion groups (RR= 1.07; 95% CI [0.82, 1.40]; RR= 0.89; 95% CI [0.56, 1.42]). However, restrictive transfusion tended to have a higher risk of in-hospital mortality compared with liberal transfusion (RR= 1.22; 95% CI [1.00, 1.50]). No secondary outcomes, including follow-up reinfarction, stroke, and acute heart failure, differed significantly between the two groups. In addition, subgroup analysis showed no differences in overall mortality between the two groups based on sample size and design.
2.
Restrictive versus liberal transfusion thresholds in very low birth weight infants: A systematic review with meta-analysis
Wang P, Wang X, Deng H, Li L, Chong W, Hai Y, Zhang Y
PloS one. 2021;16(8):e0256810
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Abstract
BACKGROUND To assess the efficacy and safety of restrictive versus liberal red blood cell transfusion thresholds in very low birth weight infants. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane database without any language restrictions. The last search was conducted in August 15, 2020. All randomized controlled trials comparing the use of restrictive versus liberal red blood cell transfusion thresholds in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants were selected. Pooled risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous variable with 95% confidence intervals were assessed by a random-effects model. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. RESULTS Overall, this meta-analysis included 6 randomized controlled trials comprising 3,483 participants. Restrictive transfusion does not increase the risk of all-cause mortality (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.17; I2 = 0%; high-quality evidence), and does not increase the composite outcome of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (RR, 1.01, 95% CI, 0.93-1.09; I2 = 7%; high-quality evidence) or other serious adverse events. Results were similar in subgroup analyses of all-cause mortality by weight of infants, gestational age, male infants, and transfusion volume. CONCLUSIONS In very low birth weight infants, a restrictive threshold for red blood cell transfusion was not associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, in either short term or long term.
PICO Summary
Population
Very low birth weight infants (6 studies, n= 3,483).
Intervention
Restrictive red blood cell transfusion threshold.
Comparison
Liberal red blood cell transfusion threshold.
Outcome
Restrictive transfusion did not increase the risk of all-cause mortality (RR, 0.99; I2 = 0%; high-quality evidence), and did not increase the composite outcome of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (RR, 1.01; I2 = 7%; high-quality evidence) or other serious adverse events. Results were similar in subgroup analyses of all-cause mortality by weight of infants, gestational age, male infants, and transfusion volume.
3.
A randomised controlled trial of fibrinogen concentrate during scoliosis surgery
Chen W, Shen J, Zhang Y, Hu A, Liang J, Ma L, Yu X, Huang Y
Anaesthesia. 2020
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Abstract
Bleeding and blood transfusion are common after scoliosis surgery. Fibrinogen is essential for blood clot formation and depletes quickly during haemorrhage. We randomly allocated 102 children 12-18 years old having surgery for idiopathic scoliosis, 51 to intra-operative fibrinogen concentrate 30 mg.kg(-1) (maximum 2 g) and 51 to saline placebo. Fibrinogen reduced peri-operative blood loss by a median (95%CI) volume of 155 (5-320) ml, from a median (IQR [range]) of 1035 (818-1420 [400-3030]) ml to 885 (755-1155 [270-2645]) ml, p = 0.04. Seven and four children received allogeneic red blood cell transfusion after fibrinogen and placebo, respectively, p = 0.34. There were no side-effects.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients between 12 to 18 years old having surgery for idiopathic scoliosis (n= 102).
Intervention
Intraoperative fibrinogen concentrate (30 mg.kg−1, maximum 2 g), (n= 51).
Comparison
Saline placebo (n= 51).
Outcome
Fibrinogen concentrate infusion reduced median perioperative bleeding by about 155ml compared with placebo. Fibrinogen did not reduce postoperative blood transfusion or increase postoperative haemoglobin concentration.