Clinical and economic outcomes associated with blood transfusions among elderly Americans following coronary artery bypass graft surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.

Background Blood transfusion occurring during hospitalisation for heart surgery has been shown to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality and with increased time spent in hospital, use of healthcare services, and costs. The objective of this study was to assess how perioperative blood transfusion among adults 65 years and older who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass in the United States is associated with immediate and longer term clinical and economic outcomes.