Scientific Journal of

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 The rate of blood use in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is high, though having decreased remarkably in recent years. The aim of this study was to determine this rate as well as demographic and clinical factors affecting blood transfusion during CABG. Factors associated with increased risk of transfusion can help us decrease the rate of blood use.

 Materials and Methods

 In a prospective manner, data were collected from patients having undergone CABG surgery in Emam Reza teaching hospital of Mashhad for about 14 months. The correlation of variables including age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, body surface, estimated blood volume, preoperative hemoglobin concentration, and surgeon with the independent variable of "need for blood transfusion" was evaluated. Finally, predicting variables were determined by the use of logistic regression methods.

 Results

 The rate of blood use was 77.6%. The use of whole blood was more frequent than packed red blood cells. In almost 70% of patients, the number of blood units administered ranged from 1 to 2. The predicting variables were determined to be surgeon and height of patients.

 Conclusions

 This study and other credible transfusion guidelines help us change individual physician practice and restrict indications such as hemoglobine level for blood transfusion in CABG. These changes might result in major rate reduction in blood use.

 Key words : Blood transfusion, Heart surgery, Coronary artery bypass grafting, Blood