LEAPing Forward: Dr. Sharath Investigates Post-Surgery Anemia Risks

By Office of the President | Feb 11, 2025

Postoperative anemia is a widespread but often underestimated condition that affects up to 70 percent of patients after major surgery. It occurs when red blood cell counts or hemoglobin levels drop due to blood loss, fluid dilution from IV treatments, or an impaired ability to regenerate blood cells, often worsened by underlying health conditions or inflammation.

While some may view it as a temporary concern, postoperative anemia can have serious consequences, including fatigue, delayed wound healing, higher infection risk, and prolonged hospital stays. In severe cases, it can impair oxygen delivery to tissues, making recovery incredibly challenging for high-risk patients, such as those with heart disease.

To mitigate risks, physicians use restrictive blood transfusion strategies, providing transfusions only when necessary to avoid potential complications. However, the long-term impact of these strategies remains unclear, particularly for cardiac patients who may be more vulnerable to the effects of anemia.

With a $1M grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Sherene Sharath, Ph.D., MPH, Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical and Health Services Research in the Department of Surgery, is leading a critical study to address this gap. Partnering with Panos Kougias, M.D., MSc, FACS, Chair of the Department of Surgery and Co-Principal Investigator, she will head the Long-Term Systemic Effects of Anemia in High-Risk Postoperative Patients (LEAP) Project.

This study will analyze one-, three-, and five-year outcomes—including kidney function, major amputations, and mortality rates—in patients who previously participated in the VA-funded TOP Trial, a landmark study on transfusion strategies in veterans with systemic atherosclerosis, designed and led by Dr. Kougias.

Using extensive data from the VA’s national health record system, Dr. Sharath’s team will examine how different transfusion approaches impact long-term health, particularly in high-risk cardiac patients. By leveraging robust, bias-resistant trial data, this research has the potential to extend the clinical relevance of the TOP Trial and offer new insights into the broader consequences of restrictive transfusion strategies.

A specialist in large-scale data analysis, Dr. Sharath will apply advanced statistical coding techniques to evaluate millions of data points—ensuring a comprehensive analysis. The findings from this study could help shape national guidelines for postoperative anemia management, ultimately leading to improved care and outcomes for high-risk surgical patients.

Congratulations to Drs. Sharath and Kougias, on this significant achievement! Their dedication to advancing surgical care and improving outcomes for veterans and other high-risk patients highlights the importance of evidence-based research in shaping best practices and ensuring that those who have served our country receive the highest level of medical care.

Tags: Surgery