Michael C. Christensen

The Impact of Intraoperative Transfusion of Platelets and Red Blood Cells on Survival After Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND:Intraoperative transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) is associated with adverse outcome after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Although experimental studies have shown that platelets contribute to reperfusion injury of the liver, the influence of allogeneic platelet transfusion on outcome has not been studied in detail. In this study, we evaluate the impact of various blood products on outcome after OLT. METHODS:Twenty-nine variables, including blood product transfusions, were studied in relation to outcome in 433 adult patients undergoing a first OLT between 1989 and 2004. Data were analyzed using uni- and multivariate stepwise Cox’s proportional hazards analyses, as well as propensity score-adjusted analyses for platelet transfusion to control for selection bias in the use of blood products. RESULTS:The proportion of patients receiving transfusion of any blood component decreased from 100% in the period 1989–1996 to 74% in the period 1997–2004. In uni- and multivariate analyses, the indication for transplantation, transfusion of platelets and RBC were highly dominant in predicting 1-yr patient survival. These risk factors were independent from well-accepted indices of disease, such as the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score and Karnofsky score. The effect on 1-yr survival was dose-related with a hazard ratio of 1.377 per unit of platelets (P = 0.01) and 1.057 per unit of RBC (P = 0.001). The negative impact of platelet transfusion on survival was confirmed by propensity-adjusted analysis. CONCLUSION:This retrospective study indicates that, in addition to RBC, platelet transfusions are an independent risk factor for survival after OLT. These findings have important implications for transfusion practice in liver transplant recipients.

Costs of excessive postoperative hemorrhage in cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND Excessive postoperative hemorrhage in cardiac surgery is a serious clinical complication placing substantial demands on hospital resources. This study quantifies the exact impact of postoperative hemorrhage on hospital costs in Germany. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data collected prospectively in the Quality Assurance Database at the Heart Center of the Klinikum Augsburg, Germany. All relevant perioperative data for resources consumption were analyzed and compared in patients with and without excessive postoperative hemorrhage in cardiac surgery. Multivariate regression analysis identified the incremental costs of postoperative hemorrhage while adjusting for potential confounding. RESULTS A total of 1118 patients had cardiac surgery between January and December 2006. Six percent were identified with excessive postoperative hemorrhage. The risk of experiencing a postoperative complication (including death) (P < .0001), returning to operating room for reexploration (P < .0001), staying in intensive care unit for longer than 72 hours (P < .0001), receiving ventilation for longer than 24 hours (P < .0001), and receiving any kind of postoperative blood transfusion (P < .0001) was significantly higher in patients with excessive postoperative hemorrhage. Twenty-two percent of patients with excessive postoperative hemorrhage died compared with 6% of the patients without excessive postoperative hemorrhage (P < .0001). When adjusting for potential confounding factors, the incremental costs of excessive postoperative hemorrhage was euro6251 (95% confidence interval, 4594-7909). CONCLUSIONS The average hospital costs related to excessive postoperative hemorrhage in cardiac surgery in Germany are substantial and associated with a significant risk of postoperative complications and death. Clinical interventions that can effectively prevent or address excessive postoperative hemorrhage in cardiac surgery are likely to have substantial cost-effectiveness potential.

Long-term cost of stroke subtypes among Medicare beneficiaries.

Background and Purpose: The economic impact of hemorrhagic stroke, including subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), has not been well characterized compared to the more prevalent ischemic stroke (IS). Methods: Patients diagnosed with SAH, ICH or IS in 1997 were identified in a 5% national random sample of all Medicare beneficiaries. Medical care patterns and associated Medicare reimbursements were analyzed from one year prior to the index event through four years following that event. Results: 11,430 patients were identified with SAH (n = 342), ICH (n = 1,957) or IS (n = 9,131). Average Medicare expenditures, from the initial event through four years, were USD 48,327 for SAH, USD 38,023 for ICH and USD 39,396 for IS. Conclusions: Long-term healthcare costs of SAH and ICH are substantial. With the expected increase in the elderly population over the coming decades, these results emphasize the need for effective preventive and acute medical care.

Information and Communications Technology in U.S. Health Care: Why Is Adoption So Slow and Is Slower Better?

Politicians across the political spectrum support greater investment in health care information and communications technology (ICT) and expect it to significantly decrease costs and improve health outcomes. We address three policy questions about adoption of ICT in health care: First, why is there so little adoption? Second, what policies will facilitate and accelerate adoption? Third, what is the best pace for adoption? We first describe the unusual economics of ICT, particularly network externalities, and then determine how those economics interact with and are exacerbated by the unusual economics of health care. High replacement costs and the need for technical compatibility are general barriers to ICT adoption and often result in lock-in to adopted technologies. These effects are compounded in health care because the markets for health care services, health insurance, and labor are interlinked. In addition, the government interacts with all markets in its role as an insurer. Patient heterogeneity further exacerbates these effects. Finally, ICT markets are often characterized by natural monopolies, resulting in little product diversity, an effect ill-suited to patient heterogeneity. The ongoing process for setting technical standards for health care ICT is critical but needs to include all relevant stakeholders, including patient groups. The process must be careful (i.e., slow), flexible, and allow for as much diversity as possible. We find that waiting to adopt ICT is a surprisingly wise policy.

Quality of Life After Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Results of the Factor Seven for Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke (FAST) Trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Neurological impairment and physical disability are frequent and important complications of stroke with serious consequences for health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Little data exist, however, on the risk factors for poor HRQOL after intracerebral hemorrhage, the deadliest and most disabling form of stroke. METHODS Factor Seven for Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke (FAST) was an international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted between May 2005 and February 2007 at 122 sites in 22 countries. All patients were followed for 3 months after stroke onset and HRQOL was assessed using the EuroQoL. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression was used to identify predictors of poor HRQOL based on demographic and clinical baseline characteristics and in-hospital complications. RESULTS Six hundred fifty-seven patients survived until 3 months after stroke onset, and 621 (95%) completed the EuroQoL. Two percent had a utility score <0 (HRQOL worse than death), 15% a utility score <0.2, 32% a utility score <0.5, and 87% a score <0.87 (average score in the general population). At the other end of the scale, 13% had a utility score of 1 (perfect HRQOL). Independent predictors of poor HRQOL were advanced age (OR, 1.80; P<0.0001), higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (OR, 1.11; P<0.0001), higher systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.05; P=0.0039), higher baseline intracerebral hemorrhage volume (OR, 1.11; P=0.015), deep (versus lobar) hematoma location (OR, 3.05; P=0.003), and increase in neurological deficit in first 72 hours after ICH onset (Delta Glasgow Coma Scale >or=2 or Delta National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale >or=4; OR, 2.04; P=0.006). The model explained a large amount of the variation in the utility score (C-statistic 0.77). CONCLUSIONS The vast majority of survivors after intracerebral hemorrhage have very poor HRQOL. Critical care interventions designed to control blood pressure or prevent neuroworsening may improve HRQOL in intracerebral hemorrhage survivors.

Acute treatment costs of stroke in Brazil.

Background and Purpose: Although stroke is the leading cause of death in Brazil, little information exist on the acute treatment provided for stroke and its associated costs. This study addresses this gap by both clinically and economically characterizing the acute treatment of first-ever intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and ischemic stroke (IS) in Brazil. Methods: Retrospective medical chart review using data from two high-volume stroke centers in São Paulo, Brazil. Clinical and resource utilization data for all patients admitted to the stroke centers with a first-ever stroke between January 1, 2006 and May 31, 2007 were collected and the mean acute treatment costs per person were calculated by assigning appropriate unit cost data to all resource use. Cost estimates in Brazilian reals (BRL) were converted to US dollars (USD) using the 2005 purchasing power parity index. National costs of acute treatment for incident strokes were estimated by extrapolation of mean cost estimate per person to national incidence data for the two types of stroke. The mean costs of acute treatment on a national scale were examined in sensitivity analysis. Results: A total of 316 stroke patients were identified and their demographic and clinical characteristics, patterns of care, and outcomes were examined. Mean length of hospital stay was 12.0 ± 8.8 days for ICH and 13.3 ±23.4 days for IS. Ninety-one percent of the ICH patients and 68% of the IS patients were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Mean total costs of initial hospitalization were USD 4,101 (SD ±4,254) for ICH and USD 1,902 (SD ±1,426) for IS. In multivariate analysis, hemorrhagic stroke, development of pneumonia, neurosurgical intervention, stay in ICU, and physical therapy were all significant independent predictors of acute treatment costs. Aggregate national health care expenditures for acute treatment of incident ICH were USD 122.4 million (range 30.8–274.2) and USD 326.9 million for IS (range 82.4–732.2). Conclusion: Acute treatment costs of incident ICH and IS in Brazil are substantial and primarily driven by the intensity of hospital treatment and in-hospital complications. With the expected increase in the incidence of stroke in Brazil over the coming decades, these results emphasize the need for effective preventive and acute medical care.

Long-Term Mortality, Morbidity and Hospital Care following Intracerebral Hemorrhage: An 11-Year Cohort Study

Background and Purpose: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) represents the severest form of stroke, yet examinations of long-term prognosis and associated health care use are rare. This study assessed survival, morbidity and cost of hospital care over 11 years following a first-ever ICH in the UK. Methods: We used a population-based retrospective inception cohort design using data from the Hospital Record Linkage System in Scotland. Long-term survival, morbidity and treatment provided in hospitals were evaluated in all patients with a first diagnosis of ICH in 1995. A cohort of ischemic stroke (IS) patients was also examined for comparison. Results: A total of 705 patients with ICH and 8,893 with IS were identified. The mean age was 65 years (SD = 17.2) for ICH and 73 years (SD = 11.8) for IS at stroke onset. The acute in-hospital mortality was 45.7 and 30.1% for ICH and IS, 51.2 and 39.9% at 1 year, while 76.0 and 80.4% were dead 11 years later. The cumulative risk of nonfatal or fatal ICH was 8.0, 12.7 and 13.7% at 1, 5 and 10 years, and 7.0, 11.1 and 12.9% for IS in the ICH cohort. The mean cost of initial hospital care was GBP 10,332 (SD = 19,919) for ICH and GBP 9,937 (SD = 15,777) for IS. The mean total costs over 11 years were GBP 18,629 (SD = 29,943) for ICH and GBP 21,505 (SD = 27,190) for IS. Conclusion: Following a first ICH, individuals have a poorer short-term prognosis than individuals with IS, yet both ICH and IS imply significant follow-up care.

Deviations from evidence-based clinical management guidelines increase mortality in critically injured trauma patients*

Objectives:The effect of treatment guidelines on clinical outcomes in general and specifically for trauma patients has not been well-studied. We hypothesized that better compliance with guidelines would be associated with improved clinical outcomes. Design:Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, multicentered, placebo-controlled study of recombinant factor VII in severe trauma that utilized guidelines for damage control, transfusions, and mechanical ventilation. Vanderbilt Coordinating Center reviewed compliance in near real-time and reported deviations classified as minor, moderate, or major to investigators. Multivariate regression analysis measured the association between outcomes (30-day and 90-day mortality, development of multiple organ failure, ventilator-free days, renal failure-free days, and blood products transfused) and compliance with each guideline, as well as a composite assessment of overall compliance. Setting:One hundred hospitals in 26 countries. Patients:Blunt and/or penetrating trauma patients aged 18–70 yrs who had received 4–8 units of red blood cells for active torso and/or proximal lower extremity bleeding despite standard interventions. Measurements and Main Results:When assessed as composite end point, major deviations from guidelines were associated with significantly higher mortality at 30 and 90 days after injury and fewer renal failure-free days. Moderate deviations were associated with a significantly higher risk of multiple organ failure and fewer ventilator-free days. Moderate and major deviations from damage control and ventilation guidelines were also significantly associated with higher risk of death at days 30 and 90. Within the ventilation protocol, noncompliance with tidal volume and plateau pressure targets was associated with significantly higher mortality at days 30 and 90 and fewer ventilator-free days, whereas noncompliance with weaning guideline was only associated with significantly fewer ventilator-free days. Conclusions:In a clinical trial of trauma patients, higher compliance with guidelines for damage control, transfusion, and ventilation management is associated with lower mortality and improved outcomes.

Outcomes and costs of blunt trauma in England and Wales

BackgroundTrauma represents an important public health concern in the United Kingdom, yet the acute costs of blunt trauma injury have not been documented and analysed in detail. Knowledge of the overall costs of trauma care, and the drivers of these costs, is a prerequisite for a cost-conscious approach to improvement in standards of trauma care, including evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of new healthcare technologies.MethodsUsing the Trauma Audit Research Network database, we examined patient records for persons aged 18 years and older hospitalised for blunt trauma between January 2000 and December 2005. Patients were stratified by the Injury Severity Score (ISS).ResultsA total of 35,564 patients were identified; 60% with an ISS of 0 to 9, 17% with an ISS of 10 to 16, 12% with an ISS of 17 to 25, and 11% with an ISS of 26 to 75. The median age was 46 years and 63% of patients were men. Falls were the most common cause of injury (50%), followed by road traffic collisions (33%). Twenty-nine percent of patients were admitted to critical care for a median length of stay of 4 days. The median total hospital length of stay was 9 days, and 69% of patients underwent at least one surgical procedure. Seven percent of the patients died before discharge, with the highest proportion of deaths among those in the ISS 26–75 group (32%). The mean hospital cost per person was £9,530 (± 11,872). Costs varied significantly by Glasgow Coma Score, ISS, age, cause of injury, type of injury, hospital mortality, grade and specialty of doctor seen in the accident and emergency department, and year of admission.ConclusionThe acute treatment costs of blunt trauma in England and Wales vary significantly by injury severity and survival, and public health initiatives that aim to reduce both the incidence and severity of blunt trauma are likely to produce significant savings in acute trauma care. The largest component of acute hospital cost is determined by the length of stay, and measures designed to reduce length of admissions are likely to be the most effective in reducing the costs of blunt trauma care.

Outcomes and costs of penetrating trauma injury in England and Wales

BACKGROUND Penetrating trauma injury is generally associated with higher short-term mortality than blunt trauma, and results in substantial societal costs given the young age of those typically injured. Little information exists on the patient and treatment characteristics for penetrating trauma in England and Wales, and the acute outcomes and costs of care have not been documented and analysed in detail. METHODS Using the Trauma Audit Research Network (TARN) database, we examined patient records for persons aged 18+ years hospitalised for penetrating trauma injury between January 2000 and December 2005. Patients were stratified by injury severity score (ISS). RESULTS 1365 patients were identified; 16% with ISS 1-8, 50% ISS 9-15, 15% ISS 16-24, 16% ISS 25-34, and 4% with ISS 35-75. The median age was 30 years and 91% of patients were men. Over 90% of the injuries occurred in alleged assaults. Stabbings were the most common cause of injury (73%), followed by shootings (19%). Forty-seven percent were admitted to critical care for a median length of stay of 2 days; median total hospital length of stay was 7 days. Sixty-nine percent of patients underwent at least one surgical procedure. Eight percent of the patients died before discharge, with a mean time to death of 1.6 days (S.D. 4.0). Mortality ranged from 0% among patients with ISS 1-8 to 55% in patients with ISS>34. The mean hospital cost per patient was pound 7983, ranging from pound 6035 in patients with ISS 9-15 to pound 16,438 among patients with ISS>34. Costs varied significantly by ISS, hospital mortality, cause and body region of injury. CONCLUSION The acute treatment costs of penetrating trauma injury in England and Wales vary by patient, injury and treatment characteristics. Measures designed to reduce the incidence and severity of penetrating trauma may result in significant hospital cost savings.