Preoperative anaemia is associated with poor clinical outcome in non-cardiac surgery patients.

In a multinational prospective study with robust and transparent statistical analyses, authors from the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) and the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) confirm that preoperative anaemia in non-cardiac surgery is frequent, harmful, and costly. Despite advanced care involving ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, catecholamine support and cardiac output monitoring, in-hospital survival decreased with increasing severity of anaemia. Preoperative anaemia correction and optimisation of underlying comorbidities appear rational and necessary.

– Sibylle Kozek-Langenecker

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