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A Low Hemoglobin Transfusion Trigger Is Not Dangerous: Arguments Against

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Perioperative Medical Management for Total Joint Arthroplasty

Abstract

It is common for clinicians to observe how concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb) as low as 4 or even 3 g/dl may be compatible with life and to see patients affected by chronic anemia who may afford some physical practice, with Hb levels just above 5 or 6 g/dl. On the other hand, we observe that not severely anemic patients can undergo serious ischemic complications. These experiences suggest that, depending on interpersonal variability in anemia tolerance, the range of Hb in which appropriateness of transfusion is uncertain is wide and that other indicators are needed to guide clinical decisions about blood transfusion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immunohematology and Transfusion Service, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 3, L.go Brambilla, Florence, 50134, Italy

    Grazia Gentilini & Alvaro Ringressi

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  1. Grazia Gentilini
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  2. Alvaro Ringressi
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Correspondence to Grazia Gentilini .

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  1. Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy

    Andrea Baldini

  2. San Donato Hospital, Arezzo, Italy

    Patrizio Caldora

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Gentilini, G., Ringressi, A. (2015). A Low Hemoglobin Transfusion Trigger Is Not Dangerous: Arguments Against. In: Baldini, A., Caldora, P. (eds) Perioperative Medical Management for Total Joint Arthroplasty. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07203-6_7

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