To transfuse or not transfuse: an intensive appraisal of red blood cell transfusions in the ICU.

Abstract

This review is a critical appraisal of the current data comparing restrictive vs. liberal transfusion strategies for patients who are critically ill in ICUs. We focus on four subsets of critically ill patients: pediatric patients, patients with gastrointestinal bleeds, septic patients and patients undergoing cardiac surgery.