The AABB has updated its guidelines on red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and storage issues. In summary, the authors recommend a restrictive RBC transfusion strategy in all haemodynamically stable hospitalised patients: a threshold haemoglobin concentration of 8 g/dL is suggested for adults with cardiovascular disease or undergoing orthopedic surgery; a threshold of 7 g/dL is suggested for all other patients, including stable critically ill patients. No threshold haemoglobin concentration is suggested in adults with acute coronary syndrome and in patients at risk of bleeding or with chronic transfusion-dependent anaemia. Limiting RBC transfusion to RBC units stored less than 10 days is not recommended.
– Jacques Lacroix