Infectious complications after cardiac surgery: lack of association with fresh frozen plasma or platelet transfusions.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of perioperative transfusion of platelets and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) on infection rates after cardiac surgery.


METHODS
Retrospective study comparing infection rates after cardiac surgery among patients receiving combinations of packed red blood cells (PRBCs), platelets, and FFP.


METHODS
Tertiary care university teaching hospital.


METHODS
All elective primary coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery patients from July 1995 to January 1998 before introduction of leukocyte-reduced blood products.


METHODS
Multivariate logistic and linear regression models were applied to identify clinical risk factors for postoperative infection and to determine the relationship between perioperative administration of PRBCs, platelets, and FFP with postoperative infection.


RESULTS
Transfusion of PRBCs, diabetes, age, preoperative hematocrit, and the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass were significantly associated with postoperative infection; platelet or FFP transfusion added no additional risk to PRBC transfusion alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Infectious complications in a population of adult primary CABG surgery patients were not increased by transfusion of platelets or FFP. It is PRBC transfusion that confers an increased risk of postoperative infection in this population.
Sreeram
Gautam M
GM
Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. sreer001@mc.duke.edu
Welsby
Ian J
IJ
Sharma
Ajeet D
AD
Phillips-Bute
Barbara
B
Smith
Peter K
PK
Slaughter
Thomas F
TF
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010949:Plasma; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors