Transfusion Practices in the Intensive Care Unit

A quarter of patients received transfusions, often at higher hemoglobin levels than recommended by guidelines.

During the past 2 decades, transfusion practices in the intensive care unit (ICU) have evolved. Based on the results of randomized trials, guidelines recommend deferring transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) until hemoglobin is <7 g/dL in most ICU patients (NEJM JW Gen Med Nov 15 2023 and JAMA 2023 Oct 12; [e-pub]). In two studies, researchers examined practices related to this guidance.

In one study, investigators tracked the RBC transfusion practices for nearly 4000 ICU patients at 233 medical centers in 30 countries (mostly high or middle income). One third of patients were admitted electively, most often for postoperative monitoring; median length of stay was 3 days. About 85% of patients were anemic during their ICU stay, and one quarter…

Reviewing Author

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Transfusion Practices in the Intensive Care Unit

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Reviewing Author