title: The effect of preoperative aspirin-free interval on red blood cell transfusion requirements in cardiac surgical patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare red blood cell transfusion in first-time coronary artery surgery patients who stopped taking aspirin < or = 2 days, 3 to 7 days, or >7 days preoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult patients (n = 797) undergoing first-time coronary artery surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass who were not receiving other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs before surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were divided into 4 groups based on days since last ingestion of aspirin. Blood products transfused in the groups were (aspirin < or =2 days) (n = 140) 2.2 +/- 4 U of red cell concentrate (RCC) (mean +/- SD), 1.4 +/- 3 U of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and 2.7 +/- 6 U of platelets; (aspirin 3 to 5 days) (n = 255), 1.5 +/- 2 U of RCC, 0.8 +/- 2 U of FFP, and 1.6 +/- 4 U of platelets; (aspirin 6 to 7 days) (n = 215), 1.6 +/- 3 U of RCC, 0.9 +/- 3 U of FFP, and 1.5 +/- 3 U of platelets; and (aspirin >7 days) (n = 187), 1.3 +/- 2 U of RCC; 0.6 +/- 2 U of FFP, and 0.9 +/- 2 U of platelets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who stop taking aspirin < or =2 s preoperatively have increased allogenic red blood cell transfusion requirements perioperatively. Patients who stop taking aspirin 3 to 7 days preoperatively have little or no increased requirement for allogenic red blood cell transfusion.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Anaesthesia and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, and PathCentre, Nedlands, Western Australia.
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Weightman
authors.forename: Neville M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: Crispin R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Weidmann
authors.forename: Mark A J
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Diane E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Grey
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sheminant
authors.forename: Wendy N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Erber
mesh_terms: D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010976:Platelet Count; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin