Hemoglobin-based Transfusion Strategies for Cardiovascular - and Other Diseases: Restrictive, Liberal, or Neither?

A “restrictive” red blood cell transfusion threshold, hemoglobin concentration <7-8 g/dL, has long been recommended for most hospitalized patients including anemic patients with stable cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although no threshold recommendation is given for acute coronary syndromes (ACS), recent evidence suggests that “liberal” rather than “restrictive” transfusion strategies are associated with significantly improved safety for hospitalized patients with stable CVD and/or ACS. …