Effects of red blood cell transfusion on patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Queensland - a retrospective cohort study

Packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion is a relatively safe and mainstay treatment commonly used in cardiac surgical patients. However, there is limited evidence on clinical effects of transfusing blood nearing end-of shelf life that has undergone biochemical changes during storage. To investigate evidence of associations between morbidity/mortality and transfusion of blood near end of shelf-life (> 35 days) in cardiac surgical patients. Data from the Queensland Health Admitted Patient Data Collection database 2007-2013 was retrospectively analysed. Coronary artery bypass graft and valvular repair patients were included. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the effect of pRBC age ( 4) were supported.