Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41428446›Full record

ArticleInterdisciplinary cardiovascular and thoracic surgery2026

Red Cell Distribution Width is Associated with Bleeding Complications after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Alexandra Aldis Heimisdottir, Luis Gisli Rabelo, Matthildur Maria Magnusdottir, Anders Jeppsson, Tomas Gudbjartsson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Interdisciplinary cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Alexandra Aldis HeimisdottirDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, 101, Iceland.ORCID 0000-0003-1948-5696
Luis Gisli RabeloDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, 101, Iceland.ORCID 0000-0001-6840-7462
Matthildur Maria MagnusdottirFaculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, 101, Iceland.
Anders JeppssonDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, 413 45, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0003-2356-2295
Tomas GudbjartssonFaculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, 101, Iceland.ORCID 0000-0002-7281-5749

Funding

Memorial Fund
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesElevated red cell distribution width (RDW) has been associated with adverse outcomes in coronary artery disease but its role in bleeding after cardiac surgery is unclear. We evaluated whether preoperative RDW predicts bleeding after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

methodsThis was a nationwide retrospective study of patients undergoing isolated CABG in Iceland, 2003-2019. RDW was analysed continuously (per 1% increase) and dichotomized (>14.0% vs ≤14.0%). Primary bleeding outcomes included transfusion >4 red blood cell units, re-exploration for bleeding, and chest tube output >1000 mL/24h. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, operative urgency, cardiopulmonary bypass, and perioperative factors.

resultsThe study included 1929 patients. Elevated RDW was associated with older age, anaemia, comorbidities, and urgent procedures. After adjustment, higher RDW predicted transfusion >4 RBC units (OR 1.25 per 1%, OR 1.72 for >14.0%), re-exploration (OR 1.30 per 1%, OR 2.39 for >14.0%), and chest tube output >1000 mL/24 h (OR 1.13 per 1%, OR 1.34 for >14.0%). RDW was also associated with greater platelet/plasma use, longer ICU stay, and major complications, but not to 30-day mortality (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.55-2.52).

conclusionsElevated RDW was independently associated with multiple bleeding complications after CABG. RDW may serve as a simple, inexpensive biomarker to improve preoperative bleeding risk stratification in CABG patients.

Indexed as

Coronary Artery BypassCoronary Artery DiseaseErythrocyte IndicesPostoperative HemorrhageAgedFemaleHumansIcelandMaleMiddle AgedPredictive Value of TestsRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsbleedingCABGperioperative morbidityRDWre-explorationtransfusion

Identifiers

PMID41428446
PMCPMC12774467

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.