Transfusional Trigger in Post-operative Oncologic Patients in Critical Care

Summary

Transfusional practices evolved significantly over the last decades, but there are still important controversies regarding triggers that should be adopted in different clinical scenarios. Most international guidelines recommend using a hemoglobin (Hb) level around 7,0-8,0g/dL as the value to prompt a transfusion of red blood cell concentrates (RBC). Critical care patients usually are in a hyperdynamic state, working with an elevated cardiac output and compromised organ function. In these patients, the dependency on the arterial content of oxygen is greater, making lower Hb levels more associated with organ disfunction and compromised homeostasis.

With this study the investigators hope to help clinicians to make decisions regarding transfusion of RBCs in critical surgical patients, establishing a transfusional trigger, without exposing patients to unnecessary additional risks, in the scenario involving patients with cancer, in post-operative care.

This is a prospective, randomized, controlled, interventional trial, with the aim of evaluating the impact of restrictive versus liberal transfusional strategy on mortality and severe clinical complications in post-operative oncologic critically ill patients. The primary outcome is mortality in 30 days. The interventions consist in transfusion of RBCs according to the allocation to a liberal or restrictive transfusional strategy. In the restrictive strategy arm patients will receive transfusion of RBCs if the Hb falls to a level equal to or below 7,0g/dL. In the liberal strategy arm patients will receive transfusions if Hb level is below or equal to 9,0g/dL. In both arms patients should receive only one unit of RBC per time, with measurement of Hb level after three hours to evaluate the need for additional units. The strategy should be maintained during intensive care unit (ICU) stay for a maximum of 90 days. In case of a permanence in the ICU for a period longer than 90 days, or if the patient is discharged from the ICU, the transfusional support will be determined by the assisting physicians, independently of the allocated study arm. If the patient returns to the ICU during the 90 days of randomization, then he should go back to receiving transfusions according to the liberal or restrictive strategy in use previously in the ICU.

Conditions

• Transfusion
• Oncology
• Critical Care
• Surgery

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Restrictive transfusional strategy

Transfusion of Red Blood Concentrates (RBCs) if Hb ≤7,0g/dL with the aim of maintaining Hb levels between 7,0-9,0g/dL.

PROCEDURE

Liberal transfusional strategy

Transfusion of RBC if Hb ≤9,0g/dL, with the aim of maintaining Hb levels between 9,0-10,0g/dL

Sponsors & Collaborators

• AC Camargo Cancer Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Marina P Colella, MD PhD · ACCamargo Cancer Center/ State University of Campinas

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-05-31

Primary Completion

2022-06-30

Completion

2022-08-31

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations