Cardiothoracic & vascular anesthesia
Effect of (short-term) intravenous iron supplementation in iron-deficient non-anaemic cardiac surgical patients on perioperative outcome
Authors' conclusion
In non-anaemic cardiac surgery patients, (short-term) preoperative intravenous iron supplementation showed no significant impact on RBC transfusion rate, haemoglobin levels, or postoperative outcomes.
Study context
- Population
- Non-anaemic iron-deficient adults (age ≥ 18 years) undergoing major cardiac surgery at the University Hospital Frankfurt3,605 screened
- Participants
- 698 adults
- Exposure
- IV iron supplementation vs no iron supplementation
- Ironn = 90
- Outcome
- RBC transfusion rate and use of RBC units
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
RBC transfusion rate and number of transfused units
| Group | Value | Red blood cell (RBC) units transfused (IQR 1.0; 4.0) |
|---|---|---|
| No-Iron | 43.6% (95% CI 39.6–47.6) | 2.0 |
| Iron | 50.0% (95% CI 39.9–60.1) | 2.0 |
Value
No-Iron43.6% (95% CI 39.6–47.6)
Iron50.0% (95% CI 39.9–60.1)
Red blood cell (RBC) units transfused (IQR 1.0; 4.0)
No-Iron2.0
Iron2.0
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | Iron | No-Iron |
|---|---|---|
| RBC transfusion rate, stricter ID definition (ferritin < 30 μg/l) (subgroup) | 42.9% (95% CI 26.8–60.5) | 50.0% (95% CI 34.9–65.2) |
Hospital LOS, mortality, postoperative complications
- Similar in both groups
RBC transfusion rate, stricter ID definition (ferritin < 30 μg/l) (subgroup)
- Trend toward reduced transfusion rates
RBC unit utilisation and postoperative outcomes, short-term (1 day prior to surgery) iron (subgroup)
- Comparable between the two groups
Original publication
Effect of (short-term) intravenous iron supplementation in iron-deficient non-anaemic cardiac surgical patients on perioperative outcome. Perioper Med (Lond). Published 13 October 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →