Blood transfusion requirements in lower limb arthroplasties might be dramatically reduced if orthopaedic surgeons were concerned about preoperative anaemia

Conclusion Pre-operative anaemia has a clear and determinant impact on post-operative requirements for allogenic red blood cell transfusion in total knee and hip replacement. Treatment of pre-operative anaemia in joint replacements might reduce the allogenic red blood cell transfusion rate. Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the pre-operative haematological status of those patients who will undergo for an arthroplasty of the lower limb. The protocol was approved by the ethics committee at Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (code: IIBSP-ANE-2011-86).
Source: European Orthopaedics and Traumatology - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research