Need For Blood Transfusion Research Articles

REASONABLE INCOMPLETE REVASCULARIZATION USING MINIMALLY INVASIVE CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING TECHNIQUES

HighlightsIn multivessel coronary artery disease coronary artery bypass grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass using the internal thoracic artery is the accepted standard of revascularization, however, it is characterized by high trauma. Minimally invasive techniques offset this disadvantage but cannot always provide complete revascularization. Determination of feasibility and combined use of incomplete revascularization with minimally invasive techniques of coronary artery bypass may be a worthy alternative to traditional coronary bypass in a certain group of patients. At the same time, literature the data are ambiguous and deficient in the world. Aim. To justify the use of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass technique in incomplete myocardial revascularization in patients with stable ischemic heart disease from the standpoint of efficacy and safety.Methods. The retrospective study focuses on the analysis of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery using sternotomy) and traditional CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (n = 429) performed in the period from 2013 to 2017. Depending on the CABG technique and the type of revascularization (complete/incomplete), all patients were divided into 3 groups with two comparison subgroups in each. The completeness of revascularization was assessed using the residual SYNTAX score (rSS). The SYNTAX revascularization index (SRI) was calculated using the following formula: SRI = [1 – (rSS/bSS)] × 100. Subsequently, a two-stage (short- and long-term) analysis of the adverse events frequency was carried out.Results. The minimally invasive incomplete revascularization (IR) group and the traditional complete revascularization (CR) group. The rSS in the IR group was 3.0 [2.0; 5.0] compared with the group without traditional CABG, whereas the SRI was 84.31 [75.00; 89.19] % compared with 100.00 [100.00; 100.00] %, respectively (p<0.001). The analysis of in-hospital period did not reveal significant differences in the number of primary and secondary endpoints. Taking into account the additional endpoints, the IR group had a lower level of intraoperative blood loss – 300 [200; 310] mL compared with 500 [400; 500] mL in the CR group (p<0.001). Moreover, the need for blood transfusion was significantly lower – by 4.27 times (95% CI: 0.124–0.441, p<0.001). The length of patients stay with IR in the intensive care unit was 4.12 times shorter (95% CI: 1,954–8,994, p<0.001). The 1-year follow-up visit revealed full comparability between the groups in terms of frequency of both primary and secondary endpoints. There were no differences in freedom from MACCE and mortality.The minimally invasive CR group and the traditional CR group. The in-hospital period and 1-year follow-up visits showed similar outcomes, comparable to the minimally invasive IR and traditional CR groups. The minimally invasive IR group and the minimally invasive CR group. The analysis of in-hospital period and 1-year follow-up visits did not reveal any differences in endpoints. Freedom from MACСE and death was similar as well.Conclusion. The data obtained indicate a similar safety profile and effectiveness of IR. Minimally invasive IR is appropriate with rSS ≤3 and SRI ≥84.3% and can be considered as an alternative approach to myocardial revascularization in patients for whom traditional CABG is undesirable.

Comparative analysis of the safety and efficacy of 1470-nm diode laser enucleation of the prostate and plasmakinetic resection of prostate in the treatment of large volume benign prostatic hyperplasia (>80 ml)

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of 1470-nm diode laser enucleation of the prostate (DiLEP) with that of plasmakinetic resection of the prostate (PKRP) in treating patients with large benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH > 80ml). Methods The clinical data from 211 cases of BPH (>80 ml) were collected for analysis. The patients were divided into two groups: the PKRP group (n = 118) and the DiLEP group (n = 93), based on the surgical method used. Result The DiLEP group demonstrated significantly lower surgical time (p < 0.001), intraoperative bleeding (p < 0.001), bladder flushing time (p = 0.003), indwelling catheter time (p < 0.005), and length of hospital stay (p = 0.018) compared to the PKRP group. However, the quality of the prostatectomy was significantly higher in the DiLEP group (p = 0.005). The Qmax for the DiLEP group was significantly higher than that of the PKRP group (p < 0.05). Compared to the PKRP group, the incidence of urinary incontinence in the DiLEP group increased significantly 4 weeks post-surgery (p = 0.026), although the need for blood transfusion during surgery was significantly reduced (p = 0.037). Conclusion Both DiLEP and PKRP are safe and effective methods for treating large-volume BPH. However, DiLEP offers advantages such as more thorough glandular resection, shorter surgical time, reduced bleeding, quicker recovery, and fewer complications.

Routine use of cell salvage during cesarean section: A practice evaluation.

Intraoperative cell salvage is a well-documented alternative to donor blood transfusion given the scarcity of donor blood pools and the incumbent risk of allogenic blood transfusion. Its use in obstetrics has been limited by concern over fetal alloimmunization due to the risk of fetomaternal hemorrhage. However, there are a paucity of studies reporting on outcome. The aim of this study was to report on a four-year experience of routine use of intraoperative cell salvage and the impact on subsequent pregnancy outcomes. This was a tertiary center retrospective service evaluation cohort study and included all women undergoing cesarean section between December 2014 and November 2018 in a tertiary obstetric unit, identifying women who had reinfusion of intraoperative cell salvage. Data regarding index pregnancy as well as subsequent pregnancies at the hospital were extracted from hospital electronic records. Subsequent pregnancy outcome and maternal antibody status in that pregnancy were collected up until November 2022. During the study period, 6656 cesarean sections were performed, with 436 (6.6%) receiving reinfusion of salvaged blood. The mean volume of reinfused blood was 396 mL. A total of 49 (0.7%) women received donor blood transfusion. Of those who received reinfusion of salvaged blood, 79 (18.1%) women had subsequent pregnancies over the eight-year follow-up period. There was one case (0.23%) of fetal cell alloimmunization demonstrated by the presence of anti-D antibodies on the subsequent pregnancy booking bloods. Routine intraoperative cell salvage may be used to reduce the need for blood transfusion during cesarean section. The risk of fetal cell alloimmunization in a future pregnancy following reinfusion of intraoperative cell salvage is one in 436. Given an apparent small risk of fetal cell alloimmunization, further work is required to establish the safety profile of intraoperative cell salvage in pregnancy.

COMPLICATIONS OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROLITHOTOMY IN THE TREATMENT OF KIDNEY STONES AT MILITARY HOSPITAL 103

Objectives: To evaluate the complications of the minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) in treating kidney stones at Military Hospital 103. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal study on 286 kidney stone patients operated using the mini-PCNL technique at Military Hospital 103 from July 2017 to July 2019. Results: After mini-PCNL, most patients had no complication (77.62%). Bleeding and fever after mini-PCNL were the two most common complications; there were 35 patients with intraoperative bleeding and no need for blood transfusion (12.24%) and 15 patients with fever after surgery and no chills (5.24%). The stone size affected its clearance rate but did not affect fever and bleeding after mini-PCNL. After mini-PCNL, the mean values of Red Blood Cell (RBC), Hemoglobin (HGB), and Hematocrit (HCT) decreased from 4.75 ± 0.53 T/L, 140.38 ± 15.38 g/L, and 0.42 ± 0.04 L/L to 4.25 ± 0.44 T/L, 125.05 ± 13.36 g/L, and 0.38 ± 0.04 L/L, respectively. Conclusion: After mini-PCNL, the complication rate was 22.38%. Bleeding and fever after mini-PCNL were the two most common complications, with 46 patients (16.08%) and 18 patients (6.29%), respectively. The residual stone fragments were 19.58%. The stone size affected its clearance rate but did not affect fever and bleeding after mini-PCNL

Evaluation of blood type as a potential risk factor for hemorrhage during vaginal hysterectomy

ObjectiveTo examine the association between the O blood type and bleeding tendency in patient undergoing vaginal hysterectomy. MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study including all women who had undergone vaginal hysterectomy at our institution between January 2015 and September 2020. All women underwent blood type and complete blood count testing pre- and post-operatively. The estimated intraoperative blood loss, the need for blood transfusion, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements and surgical data were recorded for all patients. Patients with known coagulopathies or those taking antithrombotic medications were excluded from the study. Statistical analysis was performed using student t, χ2, Fischer exact, and ANOVA tests as well as a stepwise logistic regression model. ResultsThe study included 106 patients (35.2 %) with O and 195 patients (64.8 %) with non-O (i.e., A, B or AB) blood types. The O blood type was significantly associated with a higher risk for moderate blood loss (defined as a pre- to postoperative Hb or HCT drop >2gr or >6 %, respectively) (p = 0.012), but not with severe (defined as a Hb or HCT drop of >3gr or >9 %, respectively) perioperative bleeding, nor with the need for blood transfusion. ConclusionThe O blood type was found to be significantly associated with moderate but not with severe intraoperative bleeding during and following vaginal hysterectomy.

The predictive value of four traumatic hemorrhage scores for early massive blood transfusion in trauma patients in the pre-hospital setting.

We aimed to explore the predictive value of four traumatic hemorrhage scores for early massive blood transfusion in trauma patients in the pre-hospital setting. Trauma patients admitted to Shenzhen University General Hospital from July 2018 to December 2022 were included in this study. They were divided into the massive transfusion group and the non-massive transfusion group according to the blood transfusion volume within 24h. Basic information about patients was collected. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST), and injury severity score (ISS) were performed. The receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to compare the predictive value of four trauma transfusion scores for early massive blood transfusion in the pre-hospital setting. A total of 475 patients were enrolled, 43 received massive blood transfusions and 29 died within 24h. The sensitivity and specificity of the four trauma hemorrhage scores in predicting the need for massive blood transfusions in trauma patients at their recommended cutoff points were all high. Among the four scores, the area under the ROC curve was larger for the assessment of blood consumption (ABC) score (0.864) and smaller for the trauma-induced coagulopathy clinical score (TICCS) score (0.795, p > 0.05). All four pre-hospital trauma hemorrhage scores have a high predictive value in assessing massive blood transfusion in trauma patients.

Tranexamic Acid in Hip Reconstructions in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Surgical treatment is indicated for hip dislocation in patients with cerebral palsy (CP), but it requires care due to the state of nutrition and associated clinical comorbidities. The use of resources that minimize blood loss and the need for blood transfusions are essential to avoid complications. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been highlighted for orthopedic surgeries to control intraoperative bleeding; however, there is a lack of large studies for its use in hip surgeries in patients with CP. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid to reduce bleeding in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy undergoing surgical treatment for hip instability. A sample of 31 patients with CP who underwent surgical treatment for hip dislocation (hip adductor stretching, varization osteotomy of the proximal femur and acetabuloplasty using the Dega technique) was randomly divided into groups: control (n = 10) and TXA (n = 21). Preoperative and 24 h hemoglobin concentrations, the length of hospital stay (LHS), and intraoperative bleeding (IB) were analyzed. TXA significantly reduced the IB (p = 0.02). The variance in hemoglobin concentration was lower for the TXA group, but without statistical significance (p = 0.06). There was no difference in LHS. Also, no statistical difference was observed for the number of transfusions (p = 0.08). The findings provide evidence of the effectiveness of TXA in decreasing intraoperative bleeding and its safety for use in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.

Part II: Blood Transfusion and Donor Exposure in the Surgical Management of Trigonocephaly Patients: A Protocol From Alder Hey Craniofacial Unit.

Trigonocephaly is a craniofacial malformation caused by premature fusion of the metopic suture. Surgical correction frequently results in the need for blood transfusion. Transfusion complications include transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), immune-mediated reactions, and volume overload. Donor exposure (DE) describes the number of blood products from unique donors with increasing DE equating to an increased risk of TTI. We evaluate data on 204 trigonocephaly patients covering 20 years of practice with respect to blood transfusions and DE. This represents the largest series from a single unit to date. A protocol based on our experiences has been devised that summarizes the key interventions we recommend to minimize blood transfusions and DE in craniofacial surgery. Patients operated on between 2000 and 2020 were included. DE and a range of values were calculated including estimated red cell loss (ERCL) and estimated red cell volume transfused (ERCVT). Groups were established by relevant interventions and compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Mean DE fell from 1.46 at baseline to 0.85 ( P <0.05). Median allogenic transfusion volume fell from 350mL at baseline to 250mL ( P <0.05). Median ERCL fell from 15.05mL/kg at baseline to 12.39mL/kg and median ERCVT fell from 20.85 to 15.98mL/kg. Changes in ERCL and ERCVT did not reach statistical significance. DE can be minimized with the introduction of key interventions such as a restrictive transfusion policy, preoperative iron, cell saver, tranexamic acid, and use of a matchstick burr for osteotomies.

Inflow control can be safely used in laparoscopic subsegmentectomy of the liver: a single-center 10-year experience

BackgroundSeveral techniques have been developed to reduce blood loss in liver resection. The half-Pringle and Pringle maneuvers are commonly used for inflow control. This study compared the outcomes of different inflow control techniques in laparoscopic subsegmentectomy.MethodsFrom October 2010 to December 2020, a total of 362 laparoscopic liver resections were performed by a single surgeon (C.C. Yong) in our institute. We retrospectively enrolled 133 patients who underwent laparoscopic subsegmentectomy during the same period. Perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed.ResultsThe 133 patients were divided into 3 groups: no inflow control (n = 49), half-Pringle maneuver (n = 46), and Pringle maneuver (n = 38). A lower proportion of patients with cirrhosis were included in the half-Pringle maneuver group (P = .02). Fewer patients in the half-Pringle maneuver group had undergone previous abdominal (P = .01) or liver (P = .02) surgery. The no inflow control group had more patients with tumors located in the anterolateral segments (P = .001). The no inflow control group had a shorter operation time (P < .001) and less blood loss (P = .03). The need for blood transfusion, morbidity, and hospital days did not differ among the 3 groups. The overall survival did not significantly differ among the 3 groups (P = .89).ConclusionsThe half-Pringle and Pringle maneuvers did not affect perioperative or long-term outcomes during laparoscopic subsegmentectomy. The inflow control maneuvers could be safely performed in laparoscopic subsegmentectomy.

The Necessity of Routine Pre-operative Group and Save Testing for Emergency Appendectomies.

Background Pre-surgical group and save (G&S) tests are routine but can result in unnecessary expense and theatre delays. The objective of this study was to assess the necessity of G&S testing prior to appendectomy and evaluate the cost implications. Methods This retrospective study analysed the records of 200 patients with appendicitis who underwent emergency appendectomies at a busy general surgery department between March 2021 to August 2022. The study adhered to local clinical governance unit protocol and the Strengthening the Reporting of Cohort Studies in Surgery (STROCCS) guidelines. Patients who had elective appendectomies or other emergency procedures were excluded. Data was collected on age, gender, number of samples and requirement for perioperative transfusion. Comparisons were drawn between patients who underwent laparoscopic, open or converted emergency appendectomies. Results Of the sample population, (median age 32, 55.5% male), 93.5% had valid preoperative G&S tests. None required perioperative blood transfusions. 26% of the patients only required one sample for a valid G&S due to having previous sample in the lab; 55% required two samples; 7% needed a third sample because one initial sample was rejected; and 5.5% required four samples because the initial two samples were rejected. The total cost of these samples was estimated to be £3,500.14. Conclusion Emergency appendectomy poses minimal risk of resulting in the need for blood transfusions. Reevaluating the need for routine preoperative G&S testing and adopting a risk-benefit analysis approach could have a financial benefit for the NHS.

Influencia de la cirugía laparoscópica dentro de un protocolo de rehabilitación multimodal en cistectomía radical

Introduction and objectiveThe implementation of Enhanced Recover After Surgery (ERAS) multimodal rehabilitation protocols in radical cystectomy has shown to improve outcomes in hospital stay and complications. The aim of this analysis is to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic surgery on radical cystectomy within a Multimodal Rehabilitation program. Material and methodsThe study was carried out in a third level center between 2011 and 2020 including patients with bladder cancer submitted to radical cystectomy according to an ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol and the Spanish Multimodal Rehabilitation Group (GERM) with 20 items to be fulfilled. ResultsA total of 250 radical cystectomies were performed throughout the study period, 42.8% by open surgery (OS) and 57.2% by laparoscopic surgery (LS). The groups are comparable in demographic and clinical variables (P>.05).Operative time was longer in the LS group (248.4±55.0 vs. 286.2±51.9minutes; P<.001). However, bleeding was significantly lower in the LS group (417.5±365.7 vs. 877.9±529.7 cc; P<.001), as was the need for blood transfusion (33.6% vs. 58.9%; P<.001). Postoperative length of stay (11.5±10.5 vs. 20.1±17.2 days; P<.001), total and major complications were also significantly lower in this group (LS). The readmission rate was lower in the LS group but not significantly (36.4% vs. 29.4%; P=.237). The difference between 90-day mortality in both groups was not statistically significant (2.8% LS vs. 4.3% OS; P=.546). The differences were maintained in the multivariate models. ConclusionsLaparoscopic surgery within a multimodal rehabilitation program increases operative time but significantly decreases intraoperative bleeding, transfusion requirements, postoperative length of stay, and complications.

Tacrolimus as a Promising Drug for Epistaxis and Gastrointestinal Bleeding in HHT

Background: Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is a vascular autosomically inherited rare disease. Epistaxis (nose bleeds) is the most common symptom in HHT, leading to anemia and affecting the patient’s quality of life. In addition to epistaxis, gastrointestinal bleeding (GI), more often at older ages, may lead to severe anemia and the need for blood transfusions. Thus, finding drugs to control both types of bleeding is a primary necessity in HHT. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a series of 11 HHT patients treated with low tacrolimus doses (0.5–2 mg/day) on an off-label prescription basis. Patients showed refractory bleeding to previous treatments. The epistaxis severity score (ESS) and hemoglobin levels were the parameters used to evaluate the impact of tacrolimus. The occurrence of side effects was also recorded. Results: Tacrolimus was well tolerated in all of the patients except 2 (who stopped the treatment). The remaining patients tolerated the treatment, with a general improvement in their health condition. Epistaxis was significantly reduced when comparing the ESS before and after the treatment. Hemoglobin levels significantly increased, overcoming the anemia, during the course of the treatment. Conclusion: Tacrolimus at low doses should be considered as a promising treatment for epistaxis and gastrointestinal bleeding in HHT.

Luspatercept in the Treatment of Beta Thalassemia in Italy: Lights and Shadows in Clinical Practice

Luspatercept has been demonstrated to reduce the need for blood transfusion with manageable side effects in clinical trials, thus receiving the approval for the treatment of anemia associated with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia in adults. However, very little data on its safety and efficacy in real life have been hitherto published. Special warnings and precautions for use refer to the possibility of occurrence of thromboembolic events, extramedullary hemopoiesis masses and increased blood pressure. Ten Italian Specialized Centres for the treatment of Hemoglobinopathies, with the patronage of the “Società Italiana Talassemie ed Emoglobinopatie” (SITE), evaluated the effects of luspatercept in terms of safety and blood transfusion reduction in 116 patients (Table 1) who received the first dose of the drug after its marketing. The median duration of treatment was 158 days (min-max: 15-442). β globin genotype was β 0/β 0 in 42 subjects (36.2%), β 0/ β + in 33 (28.4%), β +/ β + in 23 (19.8%), β 0/β wt plus α gene triplication in 4 (3.4%) and unknown in 14 (12%). Sixty-four patients (55.2%) were splenectomized. At the time of data collection, 32 patients (27.6%) had already discontinued the drug. Discontinuation had occurred after a median time of 132 days of treatment (min-max: 15-338) due to insufficient efficacy in the judgement of the physician (10) or patient (3), side effects attributed to luspatercept (16) that were detrimental to the continuation of therapy in the judgement of the physician (6) or patient (10), pregnancy (1) and other causes (2). There were 13 patients with a transfusion-free interval of at least 8 weeks during the treatment period (median 12 weeks, min-max range 9-48). Their median age at baseline was 37.6 years (min-max range 18.4 - 51.6) and age at first transfusion 24 years (min-max range 1 - 33). β globin genotype was β 0/ β 0 in 1 (7.7 %), β 0/ β + in 2 (15.4 %), β +/ β + in 7 (53.8 %), β 0/ β wt plus α gene triplication in 3 (23.1 %). Patients who decreased transfusion requirements by ≥ 33% and ≥ 50% in at least one of the follow-up periods of 12-weeks were 52 (44.8%) and 36 (31%), respectively. When considering the 13-24 week interval (considered as the primary endpoint of the Believe study), of the 66 patients who completed the second follow-up, 31 of 66 patients (47.0%) reduced their transfusion load by ≥33% and 20 of 66 patients (30%) by ≥50%. Focusing on the first two quarters of treatment, the pairwise t test showed a progressive and significant (p&amp;lt;0.05) reduction in the number of transfused units and pure red blood cell volumes (figure). There were no significant differences between the pre-treatment hemoglobin value and that during treatment. Serum ferritin also decreased progressively (p&amp;lt;0.05) during treatment (basal: median 576 ng/mL (Q1-Q3: 289-992); weeks 1-12: 479 ng/mL (232- 848); weeks 13-24: 385 ng/mL (212-644). The pregnancy that was initiated during the luspatercept treatment is still ongoing and no definitive information can be given. Sixty patients (51.7%) reported at least one side effect potentially related to luspatercept. The most frequent side effects were bone pain (40), asthenia-fatigue (11), hypertension requiring therapy or modification of therapy (11), joint pain (11), folic acid deficiency (6), heart palpitations (4) and edema (4). In two patients, an asymptomatic increased volume of masses of extramedullary erythropoiesis was reported. Another two patients presented with thromboembolic events: ischemic stroke in one case and superficial venous thrombosis in the other. Both were splenectomized with no other known risk factors. Despite the limitations of the short duration of follow-up, the analysis reports several significant results. The high percentage of patients who decided not to continue treatment underlines the need for a proper management of patient expectations and selection. The drug proves to be effective also in real life and those who respond best in the short and medium term seem to be who already have residual erythropoiesis, as seen from the age at the start of transfusions and the genotype of those who have had a long period of transfusion independence. Although the drug is generally well-tolerated, some adverse events appear more frequent than reported in Believe. Finally, the report of the two patients who developed a thromboembolic event including stroke, suggests the importance of continuing to be cautious in this regard.

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients Admitted with Acute Chest Syndrome on a National Scale and Factors Affecting Clinical Outcomes in Inpatient Setting

Introduction Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a clinical presentation of fever, chest pain, pulmonary symptoms, and new infiltrates on lung imaging. It affects nearly 50% of patients with sickle cell disease during their lifetime and often leads to hospitalization. The mortality rate is variable ranging from 3 to 9 %. and depends on several factors. We aimed to identify the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients admitted with ACS on a national scale and factors affecting clinical outcomes in inpatient setting. Methods: We utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2019 for the purpose of this study. Using this database, we identified patients with a principle diagnosis of ACS using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes. Data on demographic characteristics such as age, sex, race, insurance type were collected. Additionally, we selected clinically significant medical comorbidities such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), sepsis, obesity, and others. The primary endpoint of this study was to identify factors influencing all-cause mortality, while the secondary endpoint was to identify factors influencing mechanical intubation, in-patient blood transfusion, and length of stay. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to adjust for confounders. A p value of ≤0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Baseline Characteristics Our analysis consisted of 22,459 patients who were admitted with principal diagnosis of ACS. 49.5% were female and 50.5% were male. Mean age was 30.5 years. African American race was predominant (92%) with sickle cell Hb-SS disease (87%). Major insurance payer was Medicaid (47%) followed by Medicare (27%) and then private insurance (21%). Asthma was the most common comorbidities (24%) and majority of patient had Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score of zero (55%). The details of clinical and epidemiological characteristics are shown in Table 1. Clinical outcomes and factors influencing mortality Only 0.89% patient died of ACS. Average length of stay was 6.86 days. 34% of the patient required packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion. 3.2% needed mechanical ventilation. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with mortality included age of patient, CCI and sepsis. Younger patient had higher odds of mortality however this was not statistically significant. There was no difference in mortality with sex, race and insurance status of the patients. Factors affecting inpatient transfusion, mechanical ventilation and length of stay Female, higher CCI score and sepsis on admission were associated with higher needs of inpatient pRBC transfusion. Within race, White (OR 3.16, CI 1.44-6.93, P &amp;lt;0.01) and Hispanics (OR 2.68, CI 1.59-4.51, P&amp;lt;0.01) had higher odds of receiving transfusion compared to African Americans (OR 1.84, CI: 1.17-2.89, P &amp;lt;0.01). Similarly patient with sepsis, supraventricular tachycardia had more odds of needing mechanical ventilation. Patient's insurance status was also related to increased odds of intubation. Comorbidities such as asthma and CAD were not associated with need of mechanical ventilation and in fact our study shows they had less odd of needing mechanical ventilation. Length of stay was influenced by several of epidemiological and clinical comorbidities. Females had less odds of longer length of stay compared to male (OR: 0.65, P &amp;lt;0.01). Comorbidities such as asthma, heart failure, CAD, DM2 and hypertension did not increase the length of stay while patients with sepsis and high CCI score had higher odds of hospitalization for extended period of time. The details are in Table 2. Conclusion We found mortality was 0.89% in patients admitted with ACS compared to 3 to 9% previously reported. Sepsis and CCI were one of the predictors for odds of having higher mortality, need of blood transfusion, mechanical ventilation and increased length of stay in patient with ACS. Female, White and Hispanic had higher odds of needing transfusion then African Americans. Comorbidities such as asthma, heart failure, CAD, DM 2 and hypertension did not increase the odds of prolonged hospital stay.

Assessing the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Outcomes of Patient Admitted with Sickle Cell Disease

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive hemoglobinopathy which affects millions of people worldwide. It is caused by a substitution of the glutamic acid (Glu) amino acid with valine (Val) at the sixth position of the β-globin gene, resulting in a mutated hemoglobin tetramer, HbS, in the erythrocytes of affected individuals. This morphology results in sickle-shaped red blood cells and hemolysis when deoxygenated and leads to vaso-occlusion with associated ischemia. SCD is characterized by repeated severe acute pain episodes, acute chest syndrome, and can be complicated by stroke, nephropathy, avascular necrosis, and more. Many studies have shown disparities in outcomes in racial/ethnic minorities as well as in those with lower socioeconomic status. These factors have also been linked to increased risk of COVID-19 infection and infection related mortality. In this study, we aim to explore the baseline characteristics of patients with SCD, prevalence of hospitalizations, and compare inpatient outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic with those prior to the pandemic. Methods: Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried to determine adult hospitalized patients with a primary diagnosis of SCD using ICD-10 codes. They were stratified into two cohort groups based on year of admission, comparing admissions during 2016-2019 with admission during the year 2020. Primary outcomes assessed were inpatient mortality, length of stay (LOS), and total hospitalization charges. Secondary outcomes included respiratory failure, need for mechanical ventilation, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), myocardial infarction (MI), acute kidney injury (AKI), pulmonary embolism (PE), and need for blood transfusions. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for confounding variables. Results: A total of 456, 750 patients were hospitalized with SCD. 377, 285 were admitted between 2016-2019 and 79, 465 were admitted during 2020. Age distribution and sex were similar between the two groups. Patients admitted in the year 2020 were older and had more comorbidities when compared to patients admitted during prior years. Distribution of race, insurance type, hospital type, hospital size, hospital locations, and household income was not significantly different between the two groups. In 2020 patients admitted with SCD had greater odds of developing acute respiratory failure and PE, though the overall prevalence of these secondary outcomes were very low (3.6% and 0.80% respectively). Despite these outcomes, there was no significant difference in inpatient mortality (0.31% vs. 0.23%) for SCD patients admitted during 2020 when compared to prior years. In addition, the length of hospital stay was not significantly different in these two groups as well (5.1 vs. 4.9 days). Finally, patients admitted in 2020 incurred significantly higher hospital costs than SCD during pre-pandemic years ($42, 307 vs. $36, 087). Conclusion: SCD is the most common hemoglobinopathy in the United States. The African American population is most commonly affected by this disease. In addition, it is well known that this racial minority suffers inequities in accessing and receiving health care, which is associated with worse overall outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced access to hospital services combined with fear of exposure to the virus, led to a significant drop in overall access to healthcare and treatment. In this study, we found that those with SCD admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic overall had more comorbidities and more commonly had respiratory failure and pulmonary embolism, yet there was no change in inpatient mortality and LOS for these patients. Although disparities existed during the pandemic, it is fortunate that SCD itself did not serve as an additional risk factor for inpatient mortality and hospitalization duration.

Sex-Related Differences in Fetal Hemoglobin Levels in Sickle Cell Patients

Sickle cell disease (SCD) continues to be the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, characterized by a mutated HBB gene in hemoglobin subunit β (Kato 2018; Sedrak 2023). Currently, hydroxyurea is the gold standard treatment for SCD due to its mechanism of raising fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels, ultimately lessening pain crises and need for blood transfusions (Acharya 2023). Prior to widespread usage of hydroxyurea, significant differences were found regarding HbF levels between males and females. In many cases, females were found to have, on average, higher HbF levels (El-Hazmi 1994; Ceglie 2019; Solovieff 2010; Sutnick 1968). The aim of this study is to determine whether sex-related differences presently exist in HbF levels in patients with SCD after Hydroxyurea use. This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the Center for Blood Disorders in Augusta, Georgia, consisting of a total of 496 patients diagnosed with SCD. Variables analyzed from this database included sex (male v. female), levels of HbF, and common complications of SCD: pulmonary hypertension, retinopathy, avascular necrosis, and thrombosis. Levels of HbF were calculated based on percentage and averaged. Two-sided t-test was used to identify differences between male and female HbF levels. Correlation of common complications of SCD with sex was observed using Pearson's coefficient and Fisher's z-test using R version 4.2.3. P value &amp;lt;0.05 was taken as significant. To control for confounding factors, HbF levels and age were included as covariates in the logistic regression when exploring the relationship between sex and complications of SCD. The 496 SCD patients consist of 233 males and 263 females. The males had a mean HbF of 8.71 (SD 9.84), and the females had a mean HbF of 9.83 (SD 10.4). A two-sided t-test resulted in a p-value of 0.21. 85 patients (45 female) had a history of pulmonary hypertension. The correlation between female sex on likelihood of developing pulmonary hypertension controlling for age and HbF was -0.24 (SE 0.22).121 patients (66 female) had a history of retinopathy. The correlation between female sex and the likelihood of developing pulmonary hypertension controlling for age and HbF retinopathy was -0.0066 (SE 0.21).177 patients (86 female) had a history of avascular necrosis. The correlation between female sex and likelihood of AVN controlling for age and HbF was -0.43 (SE 0.19).131 patients (72 female) had a prior thrombotic event. The correlation between female sex and likelihood of thrombotic event controlling for age and HbF was -0.12 (SE 0.19). The findings reveal no significant relationship between sex and HbF levels. We posit that this may likely be due to the effect of hydroxyurea treatment for SCD, as prior to treatment, there were significantly higher HbF levels in females (El-Hazmi 1994; Ceglie 2019; Solovieff 2010; Sutnick 1968). Adjusting for age and HbF levels, we found that there were no significant differences between the sexes in terms of risk for developing complications of pulmonary hypertension, sickle cell retinopathy, and thrombotic events. We did find that there was a significant difference between the sexes in terms of risk for developing avascular necrosis, where females were shown to have a decreased risk compared to males. Due to our limitation with sample size, next steps would entail analyzing these relationships with a larger database. With a more extensive data set of patients with SCD, further relationships may be elucidated regarding sex differences in the progression of disease that could aid in informed treatment decisions.

Iron Deficiency Prior to Discharge in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: Screening with Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Content.

This study aimed to assess the iron status prior to discharge in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants utilizing reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) and evaluate the impact of delayed cord clamping (DCC) on iron status. This is a retrospective analysis of VLBW infants from two tertiary level of care Neonatal Intensive Care Units. The primary outcome was the proportion of VLBW infants with low CHr (<29 pg) prior to discharge. Hematologic parameters were also compared between infants who received or did not receive DCC. Infants with a positive newborn screen for hemoglobin Bart's were excluded. Among the 315 infants included, 99 infants (31.4%) had low CHr prior to discharge. The median (interquartile range) CHr prior to discharge was 30.8 pg (28.4-39 pg). DCC was performed in 46.7% of infants. Hemoglobin at birth, discharge, and CHr prior to discharge were higher and the need for blood transfusion and the number of infants with low CHr prior to discharge were lower in the DCC group. Approximately 31.4% of VLBW infants had low CHr near the time of discharge suggesting they were iron deficient. DCC improved hematological parameters prior to discharge in VLBW infants. CHr content can be used to guide iron supplementation in VLBW infants to potentially improve their iron status and long-term neurocognitive outcomes. · DCC was associated with an improved hemoglobin and iron status at discharge in VLBW infants.. · CHr is an early and reliable marker for iron deficiency.. · Approximately one in three VLBW infants can be iron deficient at the time of discharge..

Alkaline Phosphatase As a Marker for Acute Complications in Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) can result in complications affecting multiple organ systems, including renal, pulmonary, and central nervous system. Alkaline phosphatases (ALP) comprise a group of isoenzymes which function to catalyze the hydrolysis of inorganic phosphate monoesters, including phosphoethanolamine, inorganic pyrophosphate, and pyridoxal-5′-phosphate. Predominantly, serum ALP is derived from the liver and bone (1). An elevation in serum ALP primarily signifies hepatobiliary disorders, wherein cholestasis and bile duct damage results in increased enzyme synthesis as a compensatory mechanism. Increased ALP levels can also be an indication of bone disease associated with increased osteoblast activity (2). ALP has been linked to the severity of the pain crisis in SCD (3), and there is also evidence that ALP is a predictor for increased mortality risk in SCD (4-6). This study aims to investigate ALP as a biomarker of SCD severity and acute organ complications (VOE). Methods: This retrospective study included 252 patients aged 18 years or older with SCD who were admitted to the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) hospital for the management of vasoocclusive pain events (VOEs) between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018. The study recorded the following complications during hospitalization: acute chest syndrome, acute kidney injury, acute liver injury, thrombotic or hemorrhagic stroke, deep vein thrombosis or thromboembolism, the need for transfer to the intensive care unit, the need for exchange blood transfusion, or death during hospitalization. Data analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Chi-square test, linear or a stepwise ordinal logistic regression analysis. Results: The median age of this cohort was 31 years (interquartile range 26-42 years), 36% were males and 72% had hemoglobin SS/Sβ0 with 33% on hydroxyurea. In this cohort, 105 patients experienced at least one complication during at least one hospitalization(s) within the one-year study period, while 147 were hospitalized but did not experience complications during the hospitalization (Table 1). A comparison of clinical characteristics between the two cohorts revealed that patients with complications had a higher prevalence of HgbSS/Sβ0-genotype; had higher ALP, total bilirubin, and AST concentrations; Patients with complications had a greater number of hospitalizations and longer length of stay in both the median length and the total length over the study period (Table 2). In a multivariable model comparing baseline characteristics, HgbSS/Sβ0-genotype and increased ALP levels at baseline were significant predictors of complications during hospitalization, after adjusting for other variables as listed in the table (Table 3). Furthermore, in a subgroup analysis of patients with HgbSS/Sβ0-genotype, this relationship was even stronger: higher baseline ALP levels were significantly associated with acute complications during the study period (OR 7.3, 95% CI: 2.2 - 24.1, p = 0.001). Summary: Our findings suggest that SCD patients with longer hospital stay and higher numbers of admissions tend to have acute complications during hospitalization. Individuals with the HgbSS/Sbeta0 genotype and higher levels of ALP are at an increased risk of developing acute complications, which could potentially account for the increased mortality risk associated with alkaline phosphatase reported by previous literature. K. Makris, C. Mousa, E. Cavalier, Alkaline Phosphatases: Biochemistry, Functions, and Measurement. Calcif Tissue Int112, 233-242 (2023).J. Masrour Roudsari, S. Mahjoub, Quantification and comparison of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase with two methods in normal and paget's specimens. Caspian J Intern Med3, 478-483 (2012).J. I. Brody, W. N. Ryan, M. A. Haidar, Serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in sickle cell anemia. JAMA232, 738-741 (1975).J. J. Feld et al., Liver injury is associated with mortality in sickle cell disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther42, 912-921 (2015).S. A. Curtis, N. Danda, Z. Etzion, H. W. Cohen, H. H. Billett, Longitudinal Analysis of Patient Specific Predictors for Mortality in Sickle Cell Disease. PLoS One11, e0164743 (2016).V. Sachdev et al., A phenotypic risk score for predicting mortality in sickle cell disease. Br J Haematol192, 932-941 (2021).

Steady-State Von Willebrand Factor Antigen Levels Predict Low Platelet Counts and Risk for Complications in Hospitalizations for Painful Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Episodes

We previously reported that a &amp;gt;20% decline in platelet counts from steady state to presentation predicted severe complications during hospitalization for vaso-occlusive pain crisis (VOC) in 130 adult sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. 1 Sharp platelet decline in acute chest syndrome was reported to be accompanied by large von Willebrand Factor (VWF) aggregates adherent to pulmonary vascular endothelium in SCD. 2 A prospective study of 24 SCD patients found a significant increase of VWF reactivity in VOC admissions relative to steady state, which correlated with low platelet counts and the development of acute chest syndrome. 3 We aimed to investigate the role of steady-state VWF antigen level and ADAMTS13 activity as predictors of platelet count decline and severe complications in VOC admissions. Plasma levels of VWF antigen and ADAMTS13 activity were measured 4 for 56 patients at steady-state outpatient visits (Baseline). VWF antigen was expressed as fold increase or decrease from the concentration in normal pooled plasma of 12.2 ug/ml; ADAMTS13 activity was expressed as fold of the value from normal pooled plasma which was considered 100% activity. Electronic records of VOC admission that occurred &amp;gt;21 days after Baseline were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included non-VOC admissions defined as elective admission for surgery, admission for accident or injury, admission for delivery of an infant, or admission with a pain score &amp;lt;8/10 at presentation. 5 A total of 98 qualifying admissions were identified. Severe complication during the admission was defined as having any of the following: 1) acute chest syndrome, new infiltrate on chest X-ray, or use of ventilator; 2) acute kidney injury; 6 3) acute liver injury; 7 4) thrombotic or hemorrhagic stroke; 5) venous thromboembolism including deep vein thrombosis, atrial thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism; 6) need for transfer to the intensive care unit; 7) need for exchange blood transfusion; 8) death during hospitalization. Platelet counts at presentation to the emergency room (ER) leading to the admissions under study were recorded, as well platelet counts at Baseline. The 56 patients had a median (range) age of 37 (21-66) years; 52% are female, 89% with hemoglobin SS or Sβ 0-thalassemia, and 57% on hydroxyrea (HU). Severe complication occurred in 35 (36%) of the 98 admissions involving 27 (48%) of the patients. Focusing on the first admissions, higher steady-state VWF antigen levels correlated strongly with lower ER platelet counts (ρ= -0.50, P=0.00011, Figure 1A) and higher steady-state ADAMTS13 activity correlated weakly with ER platelet counts (Spearman's ρ= 0.30, P=0.025). The ratio of VWF antigen to ADAMTS13 activity ratio also correlated strongly with lower ER platelet counts (ρ= -0.52, P=0.000052, Figure 1B). In contrast, steady-state VWF antigen level (ρ= -0.17, P=0.23), ADAMTS13 activity (ρ= 0.19, P=0.17), and VWF antigen to ADAMTS13 activity ratio (ρ= -0.23, P=0.098) showed no significant correlation with steady-state platelet counts. The correlations remained by adjusting for age, gender, Hb genotype severity, HU, and treatment of anticoagulant, aspirin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at VOC visits. In analyses restricted to admissions &amp;gt;1 year after Baseline, the correlation between steady-state VWF antigen level and ER platelet counts appeared to persist. Focusing on the 28 first admissions, steady-state VWF antigen level (ρ= -0.50, P=0.0071) and VWF antigen to ADAMTS13 activity ratio (ρ= -0.44, P=0.018) correlated negatively with ER platelet counts. Steady-state ADAMTS13 activity did not correlate with ER platelet counts in admissions that occurred &amp;gt;1 year after Baseline (ρ= 0.16, P=0.43). We further examined the association of steady-state VWF antigen level, ADAMTS13 activity, and their ratio with risk for severe complication in admission. Focusing on the first 56 admissions, which involved 23 complications, steady-state VWF antigen level in the top quartile (1.63) associated with risk for severe complications (OR=6.5, 95% CI 1.4-31, P=0.018, n=56), adjusting for age, gender, Hb genotype severity, and HU. Our observations suggest that steady-state VWF antigen level and the ratio of VWF antigen level to ADAMTS13 activity predict low platelet counts at presentation to VOC admissions, and that steady-state VWF antigen level in SCD patients may be a relatively stable marker for risk of severe VOC complications.

Frequency and Outcome of Pregnant Females Presenting With Thrombocytopenia at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Platelet-related problems are more frequently discovered in women during pregnancy because screening is carried out as part of the initial clinic examination using automated blood counts. This study was done to find out the frequency and outcomes of pregnant females presenting with thrombocytopenia at a tertiary care hospital. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from April 2023 to September 2023. This study involved 280 pregnant women presenting in the third trimester. Blood examination was acquired, and a platelet count less than 150x109/L was labeled as thrombocytopenia. Outcome variables were frequency of thrombocytopenia, while post-delivery, frequency of placental abruption, preterm delivery, stillbirth, need for blood transfusion, and poor Apgar score were noted and compared among women with and without thrombocytopenia. In a total of 280 pregnant females, the mean age and gestational age at the time of presentation were 29.34±4.38 years and 31.30±2.87 weeks, respectively. The mean BMI of the females was 27.97±4.72 kg/m2. Thrombocytopenia was noted in 34 females (12.1%). Placental abruption, preterm delivery, need for blood transfusion, stillbirth, and poor Apgar score were observed in 1.4%, 4.3%, 8.2%, 1.1%, and 2.1% cases, respectively. Placental abruption (11.8% vs. 0.0%; p<0.001), preterm delivery (29.4% vs. 0.8%; p<0.001), need of blood transfusion (35.3% vs. 4.5%; p<0.001), stillbirth (8.8% vs. 0.0%; p<0.001), and poor Apgar score (17.6% vs. 0.0%; p<0.001) were all significantly higher among pregnant women with thrombocytopenia as compared to those with a normal platelet count. The frequency of thrombocytopenia was 12.1% among pregnant females. The frequency of placental abruption, preterm delivery, need for blood transfusion, stillbirth, and poor Apgar score were all significantly higher among pregnant women with thrombocytopenia as compared to those with a normal plateletcount, irrespective of the patient's age, parity, and BMI.