Evaluation of effectiveness and analysis of goal-directed blood transfusion in peri-operation of major orthopedic surgery in elderly patients

Through the establishment of blood transfusion-effectiveness assessment criteria, we aimed to evaluate and analyze the effectiveness of peri-operative red blood cell transfusion for major orthopedics in elderly patients. Male and female patients (n=106) with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) stage II–III, aged 60–80 years and scheduled for elective orthopedic surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups: group I (n=52), received the traditional method of red blood cell transfusion and group II (n=54) received hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) goal-directed red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. We compared the changes in Hb, Hct, RBC, platelet (PLT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure [P(A-a)O(2)], oxygenation index (OI) and Vigileo monitoring indicators following RBC composition transfusion before and after surgery. We also monitored wound healing time, number of hospitalization days and intensive care unit (ICU) transfer rate. Blood transfusion-effectiveness assessment criteria were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Hb and Hct goal-directed RBC transfusion in orthopedic elderly patients. The two groups demonstrated an efficiency of 61.5 and 72.2%, respectively (P>0.05). The P(A-a)O(2) and OI in the two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). Compared with the traditional RBC transfusion group, the Hb and Hct goal-directed RBC transfusion group presented increased RBC, Hb and Hct, as well as decreased PT and APTT and shorter wound healing time. The number of days of hospitalization and ICU transfer rate also decreased (P<0.05). The Hb and Hct goal-directed method for RBC transfusion was found to be more effective as a form of peri-operative RBC transfusion for major orthopedics in elderly patients.