Randomised trial of blood transfusion versus a restrictive transfusion policy after hip fracture surgery.

Abstract

Debate exists as to what should be the transfusion threshold for patients with anaemia after hip fracture surgery. A total of 200 patients aged 60 years and above with a haemoglobin level of between 8.0 and 9.5gdl(-1) after hip fracture surgery were randomised to receive a transfusion to raise the haemoglobin to at least 10.0gdl(-1) or not to have a transfusion unless definite symptoms of anaemia became apparent. Patients were followed up for 1 year. There was no statistically significant difference in the outcomes of mortality, hospital stay, regain of mobility or complications between the two groups. This study confirms other recent research studies which found that reducing the transfusion threshold to 8.0gdl(-1) appears to be a safe practice for this group of patients.