Transfusion practices for acute traumatic brain injury: a survey of physicians at US trauma centers.

This cross-sectional survey of transfusion preferences of physician leaders at all Level 1 trauma centers throughout the US suggests that neurosurgeons prefer more liberal transfusion than trauma surgeons and intensivists. Moreover, fewer neurosurgeons believe that transfusions have important immunomodulatory effects. This study justifies a randomized trial of liberal versus restrictive transfusion strategies in patients with trauma brain injury.

– Michael Piagnerelli