In multiple clinical settings, anemia has been associated with increased risk for poor outcomes such as lower health-related quality of life, more frequent hospitalizations and higher mortality.1-3 The World Health Organization defines anemia as a hemoglobin value <12 g/dL in women and <13 g/dL in men.4 These definitions of anemia are clinically relevant, as data from the Network of Ontario Transfusion Coordinators (ONTraC) has demonstrated an increased rate of transfusion at preoperative hemoglobin values below 13 g/dL5 , and other retrospective data demonstrate an increase in mortality near these thresholds.6,7 Treating anemia with red blood cell transfusions also has associated morbidity risk.8,9 Patients who are admitted to the hospital with normal hemoglobin values and subsequently developed hospital-acquired anemia have an increased risk for in-hospital mortality.10,11 Hence, anemia should not be considered an innocent bystander,12 but...
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
What's New In|
April 2014
Perioperative Anemia: Is It Still an Innocent Bystander?
Colleen G. Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A.;
Colleen G. Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A.
Search for other works by this author on:
Gregory M.T. Hare, M.D., Ph.D.;
Gregory M.T. Hare, M.D., Ph.D.
Search for other works by this author on:
Aryeh Shander, M.D., FCCM, FCCP
Aryeh Shander, M.D., FCCM, FCCP
Search for other works by this author on:
ASA Newsletter April 2014, Vol. 78, 50–52.
Citation
Colleen G. Koch, Gregory M.T. Hare, Aryeh Shander; Perioperative Anemia: Is It Still an Innocent Bystander?. ASA Newsletter 2014; 78:50–52
Download citation file:
Sign in
ASA members enjoy complimentary access to ASA publications, as well as a variety of educational resources. Join today!
ASA Members and Registered Users
Sign InInstitutional Administrators
Admin PortalPay-Per-View Access
$20.00
Advertisement
0
Views
Email alerts
Related Articles
The Alveolar Epithelium: Suspect or Innocent Bystander?
Anesthesiology (January 2003)
An Effective and Efficient Testing Protocol for Diagnosing Iron-deficiency Anemia Preoperatively
Anesthesiology (July 2020)
Risk Associated with Preoperative Anemia in Noncardiac Surgery: A Single-center Cohort Study
Anesthesiology (March 2009)
“Innocent Prattle” and the Quality of Scientific Discourse
Anesthesiology (December 2009)
“Innocent Prattle” and the Quality of Scientific Discourse
Anesthesiology (December 2009)
Advertisement