Impact of blood transfusion on mortality and rebleeding in gastrointestinal bleeding: an 8-year cohort from a tertiary care center

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of blood transfusion (BT) on mortality and rebleeding in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and whether BT at a threshold of ≤7 g/dL may improve these outcomes.

Methods A prospective study was conducted in patients admitted with GIB between 2013 and 2021. Antithrombotic (AT) use and clinical outcomes were compared between transfused and nontransfused patients, and between those transfused at a threshold of ≤7 vs. >7 g/dL. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of mortality and rebleeding.

Results A total of 667 patients, including 383 transfused, were followed up for a median of 56 months. Predictors of end-of-follow-up mortality included: age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH), and being on anticoagulants only upon presentation (P=0.026). SRH was a predictor of end-of-follow-up rebleeding, while having been on only antiplatelet therapy (AP) upon presentation was protective (P˂0.001).
BT was not associated with mortality or rebleeding at 1 month or end of follow up. Among transfused patients, being discharged only on AP protected against mortality (P=0.044). BT at >7 g/dL did not affect the risk of short or long-term rebleeding or mortality compared to BT at ≤7 g/dL.

Conclusions Short- and long-term mortality and rebleeding in GIB were not affected by BT, nor by a transfusion threshold of ≤7 vs. >7 g/dL, but were affected by the use of AT. Further studies that account for AT use are needed to determine the best transfusion strategy in GIB.

Keywords Gastrointestinal bleeding, blood transfusion, mortality, rebleeding

Ann Gastroenterol 2024; 37 (3): 303-312