TRANSFUSE

2017 Transfusion
? ICUs
4994 patients

Clinical Question

In critically ill patients requiring transfusion, does the transfusion of the freshest available red cells compared to standard care impact on patient mortality?

Critical Appraisal

Key findings

Sub-group analysis:
Patients with higher risk of death (APACHE III) -
90 day mortality significantly greater in the short-term storage group

Critique

The finding of higher mortality in the sicker patient group is of unknown significance

Population
Adult ICU Patients
Population Details
Requiring RBCs
Intervention Arms

RBCs
Transfusion of the freshest available blood ~12 days old

Control Arms

Transfusion of the oldest available compatible blood ~22d

Primary Outcome
90 day mortality
Secondary Outcomes
More febrile reactions , No difference in serious adverse events , No difference in LOS
P Value
0.46

Outcome Results

Not recorded