title: The effect of aspirin on blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients with femoral neck fractures.
abstract: Although it is widely accepted that aspirin will increase the risk of intra- and post-operative bleeding, clinical studies have not consistently supported this assumption. We aimed to assess the effect of pre-operative aspirin on blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients undergoing emergency fixation of femoral neck fractures. A prospective case-control study was undertaken in patients presenting with femoral neck fractures. Parameters recorded included intra-operative blood loss, post-operative blood loss, transfusion requirements and peri-operative reduction in haemoglobin concentration. Of 89 patients presenting with femoral neck fractures 32 were on long-term aspirin therapy. Pre-operative aspirin ingestion did not significantly affect peri-operative blood loss, or change in haemoglobin concentration or haematocrit. However those patients taking aspirin pre-operatively had a significantly lower haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit and were more likely to be anaemic at presentation than those who were not receiving aspirin. Patients taking aspirin were also more likely to receive blood transfusion post-operatively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Academic Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. bjmanning2002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Manning
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Selvaraj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aravindan
authors.forename: Ronan A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McGreal
authors.forename: H Paul
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Redmond
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006454:Hemoglobins; D001241:Aspirin