Abstract: Objective To discuss the associations between preoperative anemia, perioperative transfusion, and postoperative outcomes in children with congenital heart disease(CHD). Methods Data recorded for 89 children underwent their first selective operation in our hospital were retrospectively collected from the blood transfusion information management system (BLOOD) and SPSS software. Data included clinical data, relevant lab test results, perioperative transfusion and prognosis and outcomes. Patients were divided into two groups: anemia group (n=22) with a history of preoperative anemia and non-anemia group (n=67) without. Univariate analysis and linear regression model examined the effect of preoperative anemia on the perioperative transfusion and postoperative outcomes in children with congenital heart disease. Results The incidence of preoperative anemia was 24% (22/89). There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, urine volume, ultrafiltration volume, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and aortic occlusion time between the two groups (P>0.05). However, the perioperative RBC transfusion and cryoprecipitate infusion were higher, and mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay and hospital stay were all prolonged in anemia group, with statistically significant difference (P=0.003, 0.017, 0.005, 0.003, 0.005,respectively). Conclusion Preoperative anemia can increase perioperative RBC transfusion and cryoprecipitate transfusion, and prolong mechanical ventilation time, postoperative ICU stay and hospital stay. Those were risk factors of poor prognosis.

Key words: Preoperative anemia, Congenital heart disease, Perioperative transfusion, Prognosis and outcome