Danish medical journal
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Danish medical journal · Apr 2016
ReviewPostoperative red blood cell transfusion strategy in frail anemic elderly with hip fracture. A randomized controlled trial.
Hip fracture in the elderly is associated with poor recovery from physical disability and mortality. Perioperative blood loss is common, and anemia might be fatal in the frail elderly. Red blood cell transfusions might increase the risk of infection. ⋯ Physical performance was improved from 30 days to one year after fracture in patients treated according to the liberal strategy and was associated with better progress of OQoL in the same period. We conclude that according to our used Hb thresholds, the liberal Hb target of 7 mmol/l (11.3 g/dl) improves survival in the frailest elderly (the nursing home residents) without impairing recovery from physical disabilities and OQoL or increasing risk of infections compared to the restrictive Hb target of 6 mmol/l (9.7 g/dl). The liberal strategy seems to improve recovery of physical performance within one year after hip fracture surgery which was associated with better overall QoL.