[Clinical observational study of anemia in mechanically ventilated patients].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the prognostic effects of anemia among the mechanically ventilated patients.


METHODS
A prospective observational study was undertaken in a 12-bed intensive care unit (ICU). Patients requiring mechanical ventilation for at least 72 hours and hemoglobin (Hb)≥100 g/L were enrolled. Serum erythropoietin (EPO), Fe(3+), transferrin (TRF) levels were measured as baseline when they were enrolled and were repeated at day 3, 7 and 14. According to Hb concentration at day 3, patients were divided into anemia group (defined as Hb<100 g/L) and non-anemia group. Serum EPO, Fe(3+), TRF at day 1, 3 and 7, and mean amount of blood transfusion within 14 days, mean volume of blood drawn daily in 3, 7 and 14 days, the survival rate with unassisted breathing at day 28, ICU mortality, length of ICU stay, ventilator days, length of hospital stay and 28-day mortality were compared.


RESULTS
Forty mechanically ventilated patients were enrolled and divided into anemia group (n = 18) and non-anemia group (n = 22). It was shown that the anemia group had lower serum Fe(3+) concentration, and higher serum EPO and TRF. The anemia group also had more transfusion [U: 4.0 (2.0, 6.0) vs. 2.0 (0.0, 2.0), P < 0.01], longer length of hospital stay [days: 35.0 (16.5, 51.6) vs. 24.5 (10.0, 35.8), P < 0.05], decreased rate of survival with unassisted breathing at day 28 (44.4% vs. 72.7%, P < 0.05) and higher ICU mortality (44.4% vs. 13.6%, P < 0.05). But there were no significant differences between anemia group and control group in mechanical ventilated days (days: 18.3 ± 10.8 vs. 11.6 ± 8.2, P > 0.05), length of ICU stay [days: 16.5 (8.0, 21.5) vs. 11.0 (5.8, 18.3),P > 0.05] and hospital mortality (61.1% vs. 31.8%, P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The anemic patients had longer ventilator days, hospital stay, higher ICU mortality, and lower rate of survival with unassisted breathing at day 28.
Intensive Care Unit, Fuxing Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China.
Mei-ping
MP
Wang
Li
L
Jiang
Bo
B
Zhu
Qi
Q
Jiang
Xiu-ming
XM
Xi
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D015996:Survival Rate
D006454:Hemoglobins