title: Preoperative Anemia: Evaluation and Treatment.
abstract: Previously undiagnosed anemia is often identified during routine assessment of surgical patients. Although studies suggest that perioperative anemia is associated with worse outcomes and a strong predictor for postoperative red cell transfusions, anemia is frequently ignored. Preoperative optimization of patients undergoing elective surgical procedures associated with significant blood loss, along with strategies to minimize intraoperative blood loss, shows promise for reducing postoperative transfusions and improving outcomes. In most situations, anemia can be corrected prior to elective surgeries and interventions. Future research should assess the timing and methods of optimization of preoperative anemia in surgery and which patients are best candidates for therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology/Oncology, Baystate Medical Center, Tufts University, 376 Birnie Avenue, Springfield, MA 01199, USA. Electronic address: ankit.kansagramd@baystatehealth.org.
authors.forename: Ankit J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kansagra
authors.affiliation: Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of General Medicine, Tufts University, 759 Chestnut Street, S2660, Springfield, MA 01199, USA.
authors.forename: Mihaela S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Stefan
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D006801:Humans; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods
keywords: Optimization; Patient blood management; Preoperative period; Surgery; Transfusion