Parameters that can be used as predictors of mortality in the surgical intensive care unit among non-cardiac surgery patients receiving transfusion

Abstract

Abstract Objective Postoperative complications significantly increase the mortality rate and thus follow-up of high-risk patients in the intensive care unit after surgery may reduce mortality. Methods This is a retrospective analysis and did not require informed consent due to its anonymous nature. Hospital records were screened to identify all adult patients (> 18 years) admitted to the inpatient surgical intensive care unit between January 2021 and March 2022. The records of patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery and were followed up in the postoperative intensive care unit between January 2021 and March 2022 were reviewed. Demographic characteristics, hematologic parameters and the number of transfusions performed in the intensive care unit were recorded and analyzed for their effect on postoperative. Results Length of stay in the ICU, need for and duration of mechanical ventilation, hemoglobin level, platelet count and ASA scores were found to have a statistically significant association with mortality (p < 0.05). Mean length of stay in the ICU was higher among patients who died (15.18 ± 20.82 days) compared to survivors. Similarly, mean duration of ventilation was higher among patients who died (14.52 ± 20.17 days) compared to survivors (p < 0.05). Univarity LR analysis showed that mechanical ventilation, ASA scores, hemoglobin level and platelet count were statistically significant predictors of mortality (p < 0.05). Conclusion Anemia is an independent risk factor for poor outcomes. Red blood cell transfusion is associated with a poor prognosis, but this association was not observed in patients with moderate-to-severe anemia. The findings suggest that platelet transfusion is a significant risk factor for mortality. Careful preoperative planning and multidisciplinary management efforts are needed to reduce the use of postoperative transfusions.