[Usefulness of the administration of intravenous iron sucrose for the correction of preoperative anemia in major surgery patients].
OBJECTIVE
There is a high incidence of perioperative anemia among surgical patients (20%-70%). Preoperative anemia has been linked to an increased postoperative morbidity and mortality, as well as a decreased quality of life of surgical patients. In addition, a low preoperative hemoglobin constitutes an important predictive factor of allogeneic blood transfusion in major surgery. We evaluated the efficacy of intravenous iron sucrose (IVIS) administration for correction of anemia in these patient populations.


METHODS
Data from 84 patients with anemia who were scheduled for major elective surgery (30 colon cancer resections, 33 abdominal hysterectomies, 21 lower limb arthroplasties) and who received preoperative IVIS during 3-5 weeks were propectively collected.


RESULTS
Administration of IVIS -mean dose (standard deviation): 1000 (440)mg- caused a significant increase of hemoglobin levels -2.0 (1.6)g/dl (p<0.001)- and anemia was resolved in 58% of patients. No life-threatening adverse effect was witnessed.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the low incidence of side effects and the rapid increase of hemoglobin levels, IVIS emerges as a safe, effective drug for treating preoperative anemia in these patient populations.
Muñoz
Manuel
M
Departamento de Medicina Transfusional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, España.
García-Erce
José A
JA
Díez-Lobo
Ana I
AI
Campos
Arturo
A
Sebastianes
Carmen
C
Bisbe
Elvira
E
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005937:Glucaric Acid; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D006397:Hematinics; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005937:Glucaric Acid