ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS IN SPINAL CORD NEUROSURGERY

• Grant number: 24/14983-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Isabel Cristina Céspedes
• Grantee: Renato Yuji Takahashi
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Blood transfusion is a procedure performed with great frequency by health professionals on a global scale, notably due to procedures or events involving large losses of blood volume. It should be noted, however, that, despite this widespread use, the transfusion of red blood cells and other blood components, particularly when performed without an effective need, can lead to significant complications to the patient's condition, such as cardiovascular alterations, immunological reactions, and infections. In addition, a significant and generalized shortage in blood stocks has been observed in recent years, due to several factors. Notably, spinal neurosurgeries frequently involve transfusions of large volumes of blood and, therefore, have the potential to increase the exposure of the patients in question to higher risks of intra- and post-procedural complications. In view of this scenario, this study aims to analyze the effects that perioperative blood transfusions have on the clinical outcome of patients undergoing spinal neurosurgery. For this purpose, a retrospective data collection of patients from Hospital São Paulo's (HSP) Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, which is associated with the Paulista School of Medicine from the Federal University of São Paulo (EPM/Unifesp), who have undergone spinal neurosurgery. Based on the data acquired, a statistical and analytical analysis will be done, contemplating 4 dependent variables and 5 independent variables and it is expected that, through the analysis of the data, it will be possible to observe the effects that blood transfusions had on the patient's post-procedure evolution, in order to contribute to the development of safer and more effective conducts for transfusions, reducing costs to the health network linked to excessive transfusions, and optimizing patient care.