Perioperative anemia: An independent risk factor for infection, mortality, and resource utilization in surgery.

The article confirms the data of Carson et al, Lancet 1988, that perioperative anemia is a significant risk factor. However, the belief that transfusion may constitute an independent risk factor cannot be accepted. Patients with coronary artery disease had a significantly higher incidence of preoperative anemia (74 vs. 33%). Operation time and blood supply were significantly higher in anemic patients (mainly with coronary artery disease). Therefore, it is only consequent that non-transfused patients (mostly without coronary artery disease) had significantly less infections and better outcome. The study is another ineffective attempt to separate dependent clinical factors.

– V. Kretschmer.