Clinical outcomes of blood transfusion after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A review of literature

Aim. The aim of this review was to determine the clinical outcomes of blood transfusion in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Background. Despite efforts to reduce the use of blood products in cardiac surgeries, its use is still high. Blood should be considered as a scarce source which can lead to some clinical outcomes.
Method. In this paper, a review was conducted on the studies published between 2002-2015. The studies were searched out through scientific databases, including PubMed and Science Direct by the keywords blood transfusion, adverse effects, clinical outcomes, coronary artery bypass graft surgery and their Persian equivalents.
Findings. The review of 15 studies revealed that survival rate 30 days and 1 year among patients received blood transfusion were significantly less than patients without blood transfusion. Mortality (short and long term) in patients with blood transfusion was significantly higher than patients without blood transfusion. Also, patients receiving blood transfusion had more complications including atrial fibrillation, infection, pneumonia and cerebral vascular accident as compared with patients without blood transfusion.
Conclusion. Blood Transfusion increases mortality, hospital stay and several various complications. It is essential that policy of limited blood transfusion to be considered against free blood transfusion.