BackgroundPre-operative anaemia is associated with mortality and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirement after cardiac surgery. However, the effect on post-operative total morbidity burden (TMB) is unknown. We explored the effect of pre-operative anaemia on post-operative TMB.MethodsData were drawn from the Cardiac Post-Operative Morbidity Score (C-POMS) development study (n = 442). C-POMS describes and quantifies (0–13) TMB after cardiac surgery by noting the presence/absence of 13 morbidity domains on days 3 (D3), 5 (D5), 8 (D8) and 15 (D15). Anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin concentration below 130 g/l for men and 120 g/l for women.ResultsMost patients were White British (86.1%) and male (79.2%) and underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (67.4%). Participants with pre-operative anaemia (n = 137, 31.5%) were over three times more likely to receive RBC transfusion (OR 3.08, 95%CI 1.88–5.06, p < 0.001), had greater D3 and D5 TMB (5 vs 3, p < 0.0001; 3 vs 2, p < 0.0001, respectively) and remained in hospital 2 days longer (8 vs 6 days, p < 0.0001) than non-anaemic patients. Transfused patients remained in hospital 5 days longer than non-transfused patients (p < 0.0001), had higher TMB on all days (all p < 0.001) and suffered greater pulmonary, renal, GI, neurological, endocrine and ambulation morbidities (p 0.026 to <0.001). Pre-operative anaemia and RBC transfusion were independently associated with increased C-POMS score.ConclusionsPre-operative anaemia and RBC transfusion are independently associated with increased post-operative TMB. Understanding TMB may assist in post-operative patient management to reduce morbidity. We recommend the use of the C-POMS tool as a standard outcome tool in further studies.
Table 1 Advantages and disadvantages of walkie talkie use in health care settings Advantages Disadvantages Low cost Non-secure channel Easy to decontaminate per IPC guidance Miscommunication between multiple teams sharing the same channel Simple to operate Radio frequencies may be obstructed by hospital structures (e.g. lead lining within radiotherapy departments) Can be used while wearing PPE Specific communication approach required Does not rely on telecommunication infrastructure "One to many" communication provides instant access to the whole team
The Closure Fast™ Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation Catheter is the latest version of a minimally invasive system for the treatment of patients with superficial venous disease. The Closure Fast™ catheter heats the vein wall to 120°C, causing denaturation of the collagen of the vein wall and contraction of the vessel such that no blood can flow through it. Nearly one million systems have been sold since the product was launched. Many, if not all, patients can be treated under local anesthesia with the Closure Fast™ catheter. Duplex ultrasound reports occlusion rates for the treated vein of 94%–98% at 1 year and 85%–93% at 3 years. The system produces average postoperative pain scores of less than 2 out of 10 on a visual analog score. In the first postoperative week, 76% of patients do not require analgesia. Some 45% of patients return to normal activity on the first postoperative day. Serious complications appear to be rare following the Closure Fast™ procedure. Transient paresthesia occurs in 0.2% of cases, thrombophlebitis in 1%–10%, and thromboembolic events in up to 1.4%, mainly heat-induced thrombosis. Closure Fast™ adds significant costs to treating superficial venous disease but studies have shown it to be cost-effective when used in an office setting.
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