Red blood cell transfusions are associated with lower mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

• DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0b013e3182657b75
• Publication Date: 2012-09-13T15:54:38Z
• Authors: Dae Won Park; Byung-Chul Chun; Soon-Sun Kwon; Young Kyung Yoon; Won Suk Choi; Jang Wook Sohn; Kyong Ran Peck; Yang Soo Kim; Young Hwa Choi; Jun Yong Choi; Sang Il Kim; Joong Sik Eom; Hyo Youl Kim; Hee Jin Cheong; Young Goo Song; Hee Jung Choi; June Myung Kim; Min Ja Kim
• Keywords: Interquartile range

To evaluate the effects of transfusions in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock on mortality.Propensity-matched analysis a prospective observational database (April 2005 to February 2009).Twenty-two medical surgical intensive care units 12 teaching hospitals Korea.One thousand fifty-four community-acquired shock.None.Of 1,054 patients, 407 (38.6%) received blood transfusion. The mean pretransfusion hemoglobin level was 7.7 ± 1.2 g/dL. Transfused had higher 28-day in-hospital mortality rates (32.7% vs. 17.3%; p < .001, 41.3% 20.3%; respectively) longer duration hospital stay (21 [interquartile range, 10-35] 13 8-24] days; .001), but were more severely ill at admission (lower systolic pressure, Acute Physiology Chronic Health Evaluation II score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score admission). In 152 pairs matched according propensity depending patient transfusion status, transfused lower risk 7-day (9.2% 27.0%; (24.3% 38.8%; = .007), (31.6% 42.8%; .044). After adjusting for as time-dependent variable multivariable analysis, independently associated (hazard ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.19-0.50, .026), 0.43, 0.29-0.62, 0.51, 0.39-0.69, .001).In this study shock, red cell mortality.