Audit of transfusion among the oldest old: treading the fine line between undertransfusion and optimum trigger

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recent research has questioned restrictive transfusion policies in vulnerable elderly populations. Our audit assesses the prevalence and postoperative outcomes of extremely elderly patients undergoing the stress of surgery with perioperative hemoglobin (Hb) less than 9 g/dL.From the * Results are presented as median, interquartile range (IQR). † Because these complications are specifically related to transfusion of blood, percentages were calculated from transfused patients. CI = confidence interval; Hb = hemoglobin; OR = odds ratio; LOS = length of hospital stay; TACO = transfusion-associated circulatory overload; TRALI = transfusion-related lung injury. (p < 0.05 was considered significant).