Blood reviews
-
Anaemia is a common finding in critically ill patients. There are often multiple causes. Obvious causes include surgical bleeding and gastrointestinal haemorrhage but many patients have no overt bleeding episodes. ⋯ For patients with Hb values in the range 70 to 100 g/L the transfusion trigger should be based on clinical indicators. Most stable critically ill patients can probably be managed with a Hb concentration between 70 and 90 g/L. Uncertainties exist concerning the most appropriate Hb concentration for patients with significant cardio-respiratory disease.