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Evidence summaries

Transfusion of Leukoreduced Red Blood Cells and Postoperative Infections

Transfusion of leukoreduced red blood cells may decrease postoperative infections. Level of evidence: "C"

A systematic review 1 including 10 studies was abstracted in DARE. The reduction in post-operative infection with leukoreduced transfusion compared with non-leukoreduced transfusion was not statistically significant for all patients randomised (n=3,073; RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.08), but was statistically significant for transfused patients (n=2,358; RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.93).

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by limitations in study quality (poor reporting of methodology) and by inconsistency (variability in results across studies).

    References

    • Fergusson D, Khanna MP, Tinmouth A, Hébert PC. Transfusion of leukoreduced red blood cells may decrease postoperative infections: two meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. Can J Anaesth 2004 May;51(5):417-24. [PubMed][DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords