Influence of erythrocyte concentrate storage time on postsurgical morbidity in cardiac surgery patients.

Background: The transfusion of erythrocytes that have been stored for long periods of time can produce visceral ischemia and favor the acquisition of postsurgical infections. To estimate the role of the duration of storage of erythrocytes on morbidity in cardiac surgery, we performed an observational study.

Methods: All patients (n = 897) undergoing cardiac surgery during three consecutive years were included.