Hemodynamics, fluids & transfusion
The Influence of Older Age on RBC Transfusion Decisions in ICU Patients
Authors' conclusion
Different transfusion strategies are applied in patients older than 85 years old. These differences appear to be driven by age-related differences in physiology and diagnoses rather than motivated by older age itself.
Study context
- Population
- Adult ICU patients (≥ 18 yr) admitted during predefined study weeks, 233 centers in 30 countries, March 2019 to October 2022
- Participants
- 3,643 patients · 233 centers · 30 countries
- Comparison
- RBC transfusion practices across age categories
Methodological detailsmulticenter, point prevalence, global, Data collected March 2019 to October 2022 in prespecified weeks
- Multicenter
- Point prevalence
- Global
- Data collected March 2019 to October 2022 in prespecified weeks
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
RBC transfusion rate
- RBC transfusion rates ranged from 23% to 26% across all age groups
- p = 0.91
Further findings
| Outcome | > 85 | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Stated hemoglobin threshold> 85 vs Younger patients | median 10.0 g/dL | P < 0.001 |
- Stated hemoglobin threshold: Younger patients median 8.0 g/dL
Reasons for transfusion
- "Age" and "improve general state" more frequently cited as reasons in patients > 85 yr
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
The Influence of Older Age on RBC Transfusion Decisions in ICU Patients. Crit Care Med. Published 8 April 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →