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High Prevalence and Worse Outcome?

Lena M. Napolitano, MD

Arch Surg. 2007;142(11):1031-1032.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

JAMA

Preoperative Hematocrit Levels and Postoperative Outcomes in Older Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery

Wen-Chih Wu, MD; Tracy L. Schifftner, MS; William G. Henderson, PhD; Charles B. Eaton, MD; Roy M. Poses, MD; Georgette Uttley, RN; Satish C. Sharma, MD; Michael Vezeridis, MD; Shukri F. Khuri, MD; Peter D. Friedmann, MD

Context:  Elderly patients are at high risk of both abnormal hematocrit values and cardiovascular complications of noncardiac surgery. Despite nearly universal screening of patients for abnormal preoperative hematocrit levels, limited evidence demonstrates the adverse effects of preoperative anemia or polycythemia.

Objective:  To evaluate the prevalence of preoperative anemia and polycythemia and their effects on 30-day postoperative outcomes in elderly veterans undergoing major noncardiac surgery.

Design:  Retrospective cohort study using the VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Based on preoperative hematocrit levels, we stratified patients into standard categories of anemia (hematocrit <39.0%), normal hematocrit (39.0%-53.9%), and . . . [Full Text of this Article]