• Michele P X L Lau, Christopher J W Low, Ryan Ruiyang Ling, Nigel S H Liu, Chuen Seng Tan, TiLian KahLKYong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.Department of Anaesthesia, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore., Theo Kofidis, Graeme MacLaren, and Kollengode Ramanathan.
• Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
• Can J Anaesth. 2024 Jan 1; 71 (1): 127142127-142.

PurposeWe aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of anemia and anemia severity on patient outcomes in cardiac surgery and determine whether preoperative treatments confer postoperative benefit.SourceWe searched four international databases for observational and randomized studies published until 1 October 2022. Study quality was assessed via Newcastle-Ottawa scores and the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias 2 tool and certainty of evidence was rated with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses for our primary outcome of mortality, for secondary outcomes including length of stay (LOS) in the hospital and intensive care unit, and for postsurgical complications. As part of a secondary analysis, we analyzed short-term preoperative anemia treatments and conducted trial sequential analysis of randomized trials to assess the efficacy of these treatment programs.Principal FindingsWe included 35 studies (159,025 patients) in our primary meta-analysis. Preoperative anemia was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2 to 2.9; P < 0.001, high certainty). Study-level meta-regression revealed lower hemoglobin levels and studies with lower proportions of male patients to be associated with increased risk of mortality. Preoperative anemia was also associated with an increase in LOS and postsurgical complications. Our secondary analysis (seven studies, 1,012 patients) revealed short-term preoperative anemia treatments did not significantly reduce mortality (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.9; P = 0.69). Trial sequential analysis suggested that there was insufficient evidence to conclude if treatment programs yield any benefit or harm.ConclusionsPreoperative anemia is associated with mortality and morbidity after cardiac surgery. More research is warranted to test the efficacy of current anemia treatment programs.Study RegistrationPROSPERO (CRD42022319431); first submitted 17 April 2023.© 2023. Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.

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