Randomised trial of blood transfusion versus a restrictive transfusion policy after hip fracture surgery.

Background: Debate exists as to what should be the transfusion threshold for patients with anaemia after hip fracture surgery.

Methods: A total of 200 patients aged 60 years and above with a haemoglobin level of between 8.0 and 9.5gdl(-1) after hip fracture surgery were randomised to receive a transfusion to raise the haemoglobin to at least 10.0gdl(-1) or not to have a transfusion unless definite symptoms of anaemia became apparent. Patients were followed up for 1 year.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the outcomes of mortality, hospital stay, regain of mobility or complications between the two groups.

Conclusions: This study confirms other recent research studies which found that reducing the transfusion threshold to 8.0gdl(-1) appears to be a safe practice for this group of patients.