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Lower transfusion rates seen for THA, TKA among patients with increased BMI
After total hip or total knee arthroplasty, patients had lower blood transfusion rates and lost a significantly smaller percentage of estimated blood volume if they had an increased BMI.
Researchers retrospectively assessed 2,399 patients who underwent either total knee arthroplasty (TKA; n=1,503 patients) or total hip arthroplasty (THA; n=896 patients). The rate of blood transfusion, number of units transfused, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and deep surgical site infection were among the primary outcomes evaluated. Other variables assessed included superficial surgical site infection, estimated blood loss and estimated blood volume. The WHO classification system was used to categorize patient BMI as either normal, overweight or obese.
Results showed the transfusion rates in TKA patients who were normal, overweight or obese were 17.3%, 11.4% and 8.3%, respectively. In the THA group, transfusion rates were 34.8%, 27.6% and 21.9%, respectively, for the BMI categories. Investigators noted decreased blood transfusion rates seen in patients who underwent either THA or TKA with an elevated BMI.
According to researchers, there were no associations seen between BMI and deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, dislocation location, length of stay, 30-day readmission rate and preoperative hemoglobin level. There was a significant correlation between elevated BMI and increased estimated blood loss seen among patients who underwent either THA or TKA. Patients who underwent THA had increased rates of deep surgical site infection. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Frisch reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.