Multiple variables affecting blood usage in lung transplantation

Background A few publications have reported on the role of variables affecting blood component usage during lung transplantation. Methods Transfusion records for lung transplantation patients at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (November 1991 to July 2004) were reviewed. Bivariate analyses and regression models were used to correlate usage of packed red blood cells (RBC), fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets (PLT) with variables such as disease, number of pulmonary lobes (1 or 2), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) status and time on bypass. Results Among 376 patients examined during the study period, blood product usage (in units) was significantly higher in double- than in single-lung recipients (RBC, 5.76 vs 1.21; FFP, 5.55 vs 1.10; PLT, 1.15 vs 0.16; p p p Conclusions Patients receiving double-lung transplantations, on CPB, or transplanted for ES and CF exhibited a very highly statistically significant demand ( p