Perioperative anemia: Prevention, diagnosis, and management throughout the spectrum of perioperative care
Publication Date
2020
Journal Title
Anesth Analg
Abstract
Copyright © 2020 International Anesthesia Research Society Anemia is common in the perioperative period and is associated with poor patient outcomes. Remarkably, anemia is frequently ignored until hemoglobin levels drop low enough to warrant a red blood cell transfusion. This simplified transfusion-based approach has unfortunately shifted clinical focus away from strategies to adequately prevent, diagnose, and treat anemia through direct management of the underlying cause(s). While recommendations have been published for the treatment of anemia before elective surgery, information regarding the design and implementation of evidence-based anemia management strategies is sparse. Moreover, anemia is not solely a concern of the preoperative encounter. Rather, anemia must be actively addressed throughout the perioperative spectrum of patient care. This article provides practical information regarding the implementation of anemia management strategies in surgical patients throughout the perioperative period. This includes evidence-based recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of anemia, including the utility of iron supplementation and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs).
Volume Number
130
Issue Number
5
Pages
1364-1380
Document Type
Article
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
Anesthesiology
PMID
DOI
10.1213/ANE.0000000000004727