Effect of transfusion on dizziness in anemic patients after elective off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery

BACKGROUND: Neurological disorders are common complications following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Dizziness in convalescence period is of high importance because it can prolong patient's stay at the hospital and decrease in sense of rehealing. Transfusion indication is seen in hemoglobin levels <7 g/dl; however, dizziness has been frequently observed in patients with hemoglobin levels 7-10 g/dl and they have dramatic response to transfusion. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate effect of transfusion on dizziness in hemoglobin levels of 7-10 g/dl to set a more accurate indication for transfusion in anemic patients after elective off-pump CABG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial study was conducted on 90 patients undergoing elective off-pump CABG surgery from January to June 2011, in Afshar cardiovascular center, Yazd, Iran. Patients with hemoglobin levels of 7-10 g/ dl measured 48 h after CABG were included in this study and those who stayed in ICU more than 48 h were excluded. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group received packed cell according to study protocol while the control group did not receive packed cell. Hemoglobin concentration was measured at 48 h and 72 h after CABG and discharge time, respectively. Dizziness was evaluated 72 h after surgery. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact test for quantitative and qualitative variables. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 63.5 ± 10.67 years, from all of patients in which 50 cases (55.6%) were males and 40 cases (44.4%) were females. Dizziness after surgery occurred in 35 cases (38.8%), of whom, 27 cases (62.8%) were in the control group and 8 cases (17%) were in the transfusion group. Significantly a difference in the incidence of dizziness was found between two groups (P= 0.001). CONCLUSION: Transfusion in hemoglobin levels of 7-10 g/dl can be useful to decrease dizziness in anemic patients after elective off-pump CABG; however, the guidelines in textbooks suggest transfusion after CABG to be in hemoglobin levels <7 g/dl.