Open AccessThe evidence base for red blood cell transfusions
Author(s) -
Carson J. L.,
Carless P.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
isbt science series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1751-2824
pISSN - 1751-2816
DOI - 10.1111/voxs.12020
Subject(s) - medicine , confidence interval , relative risk , randomized controlled trial , blood transfusion , acute coronary syndrome , clinical trial , red blood cell transfusion , intensive care medicine , myocardial infarction
Millions of units of red blood cells are transfused throughout the world. A systematic review of the literature as of 2011 identified 19 randomized clinical trials in 6264 patients evaluating transfusion thresholds. A restrictive transfusion strategy was associated with 39% fewer transfusions and a non significant lower 30 mortality; relative risk 0.85, 95% confidence intervals 0.70–1.03. A restrictive transfusion strategy is preferable in most patients but requires trial in patients with acute coronary syndrome.