Impact of the Reimbursement of Fibrinogen in Cardiac Surgery

Complex cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with a high risk of perioperative bleeding and transfusion. Since April 1st, 2020, fibrinogen concentrate has been reimbursed in Belgium, facilitating its use as a first-line treatment in fibrinogen deficiency identified by viscoelastic testing.

This retrospective, observational, single-center cohort study will analyze adult patients who underwent complex cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at Erasme Hospital between Jan 1st 2016 and Dec 31st, 2024. Two distinct periods will be compared: a pre-reimbursement period (Jan 1st, 2016 to March 31st, 2020) and a post-reimbursement period (April 1st, 2020 to Dec 31st, 2024).

Clinical, biological, and transfusion-related data will be collected retrospectively from electronic medical records and blood bank databases. The primary objective is to evaluate changes in transfusion practices, including the use of red blood cells, plasma, platelets, fibrinogen concentrate, and prothrombin complex concentrates. Secondary objectives include postoperative bleeding, length of stay in intensive care and hospital, reoperation for bleeding, postoperative complications, and in-hospital mortality.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged ≥ 18 years
• Complex cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), defined as:

• Coronary artery bypass grafting combined with valve replacement
• Replacement of two or more valves
• Cardiac reoperation
• Surgery for infective endocarditis
• Ascending aorta surgery
• Scheduled or emergency procedures
• Complete clinical and biological data available (transfusions, hospital stay, complications, tests)
• Surgery performed between Jan 1st, 2016 and Dec 31st, 2024

Exclusion criteria

• Surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)
• Patients aged < 18 years
• Pregnancy
• Patients requiring postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)