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Anästhesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther 2001; 36(Suppl 2): 94-100
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-18204
NEW VOLUME SUBSTITUTES AND THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES
ORIGINALIA
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

The Anemic Patient in the ICU:
How Much Does the Heart Tolerate?

Permissive Anämie in der Intensivmedizin beim kardialen Risikopatienten?P. C. Hérbert1 , S. Szick2
  • 1Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario
  • 2University of Ottawa Centre for Transfusion Research,
    Ottawa, Ontario
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
05 November 2001 (online)

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Anemia in the critical care setting is a common condition frequently resulting in the use of red cell transfusions. Of particular concern are those anemic, critically ill patients with ischemic heart disease. This critically ill population may be predisposed to the adverse consequences of anemia, by the very nature of their underlying cardiac disease. However, they may also be more predisposed to the adverse consequences of RBC transfusion. Research to date has provided opposing views in terms of the optimal transfusion strategies for use in this ¿at risk¿ population. While observational studies have indicated that a liberal strategy is more beneficial, a recent RCT found that a strategy maintaining hemoglobin concentrations between 70 and 90 g/L may result in similar, if not better, outcomes. Further studies are needed, however, to clarify whether the results of this trial can be generalized to patients with cardiovascular disease.

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Paul C. Hébert, MD, FRCP(C), MHSc, (Epid.) 

Associate Professor, Medicine and Epidemiology
Director, Clinical Epidemiology Program,
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Ottawa Hospital General Campus

501 Smyth Road, Box 201

Ottawa, Ontario K1 H 8L6

Email: phebert@ottawahospital.on.ca

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