Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Patients with Acute MI

Results of a prospective study suggest that a liberal threshold for transfusion might have a detrimental effect on outcomes after acute coronary syndrome.

The relative risks and benefits of red blood cell transfusion for anemia in patients with acute coronary syndrome are uncertain. To explore this issue, investigators identified 2358 individuals with acute MI from a prospective database of patients admitted to a single coronary care unit in Haifa, Israel, between January 2000 and December 2006. Hemoglobin levels were recorded at admission and at 24, 48, and 72 hours afterward.

A total of 192 patients (8.1%) received at least one transfusion of red blood cells (median time from admission to transfusion, 3 days). Patients who received transfusions were older and more likely to be women and also had more comorbidities and lower baseline hemoglobin values than those who did not receive transfusio…

Reviewing Author

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute