Percentage of hematocrit decrease after the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass-clinical implications and affecting factors

Jakub Udzik; Andrzej Biskupski; Aleksandra Szylińska; Zuzanna Kowalska; Mariusz Listewnik

doi:10.31083/j.rcm2204161

Percentage of hematocrit decrease after the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass-clinical implications and affecting factors

Rev Cardiovasc Med. 2021 Dec 22;22(4):1563-1568. doi: 10.31083/j.rcm2204161.

Authors

Jakub Udzik¹, Andrzej Biskupski¹, Aleksandra Szylińska², Zuzanna Kowalska³, Mariusz Listewnik¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cardiac Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.
² Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Clinical Physiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland.
³ Department of Mathematics and Informatics, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland.

PMID: 34957796
DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2204161

Abstract

Decrease of patient's hematocrit level is a natural process which occurs during the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass. To some extent it is a beneficial occurrence, but excessive hematocrit decrease can lead to many complications and increase patient's demand for blood transfusion. In this study authors investigated the causes and clinical implications of ≥30% hematocrit decrease after the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Retrospective analysis of 172 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery procedures was conducted. It was concluded that 30% or greater hematocrit decrease (comparing to preoperative level) after the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, is associated with an increased demand for blood transfusion. The most important factors influencing hematocrit decrease after the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass proved to be: lower BMI, female gender, more advanced age and the usage of priming fluid of higher volume and lower osmolality.

Keywords: Cardiac surgery; Cardiopulmonary bypass; Hematocrit decrease.

MeSH terms

Blood Transfusion
Cardiac Surgical Procedures*
Cardiopulmonary Bypass* / adverse effects
Cardiopulmonary Bypass* / methods
Female
Hematocrit
Humans
Retrospective Studies