Blood transfusions linked to increased mortality in patients suffering from cardia...( ATLANTA GA (March 14 2006) -- The con...),Health

ATLANTA, GA (March 14, 2006) -- The controversial practice of blood transfusions for patients suffering from cardiac episodes may lead to an increased risk of mortality, and may be correlated to transfusion blood type and blood age, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session. ACC.06 is the premier cardiovascular medical meeting, bringing together more than 30,000 cardiologists to further breakthroughs in cardiovascular medicine.

The Deleterious Impact of Blood Transfusions on Mortality in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (Abstract 973-234)

Although opinion on blood transfusions as post-heart attack treatment is divisive, it is common practice for patients who have recently suffered from myocardial infarction, or heart attacks. Study authors from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio researched the death rate of heart attack patients who received blood transfusions and found that these transfusions are associated with a markedly increased risk of mortality.

Researchers examined the death rate of 4,073 patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction 30 days after the heart attack occurred. Among the 363 patients who received transfusions, the post-heart attack death rate after 30 days was 13 percent, compared to just five percent for the 3,710 non-transfused patients. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, transfusion was still associated with higher mortality.

Data showed that the patients who received transfusions were older, more likely to be female, and more likely to suffer from peripheral vascular disease. In addition, they were also more likely to have a history of diabetes and smoking.

"The research suggests that blood transfusions might be associated with increased mortality, but substantial caution should be applied. Blood transfusions are either harmful to patients or they are merely a marker for patients with a more s
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14-Mar-2006

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