Low preoperative hematocrit adversely affects short-term outcomes after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate preoperative anemia as a risk factor for postoperative complications after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).

METHODS

Adult patients who underwent ARCR from 2015-2020 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients were grouped according to the following preoperative hematocrit levels: normal (male >39%, female >36%), mild anemia (male 33%-39%, female 33%-36%), and moderate to severe anemia (male and female ≤33%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant differences in 30-day postoperative complication rates.

RESULTS

Of the 21,836 patients identified, 19,726 (90.3%) patients had normal preoperative hematocrit, 1731 (7.9%) were mildly anemic, and 379 (1.7%) were moderate to severely anemic. After adjusting for significantly associated demographics and comorbidities, mild anemia was a significant predictor of any complication (odds ratio [OR] 1.436,  = .007), cardiac complications (OR 4.891,  = .002) sepsis-related complications (OR 4.760,  = .004), readmission (OR 1.585,  = .014), and nonhome discharge (OR 1.839,  = .006). Moderate to severe anemia was a significant predictor of any complication (OR 2.471, < .001), readmission (OR 3.002, < .001), and nonhome discharge (OR 3.211, < .001).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative anemia is a significant risk factor for postoperative complications within 30 days of ARCR.