Comparing Two Blood Transfusion Strategies During and After Surgery in Adults at Risk of Significant Blood Loss

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to determine if it is feasible to conduct a large-scale clinical trial comparing two different strategies for deciding when to give blood transfusions during surgery. The study focuses on adults undergoing surgeries where there is a significant risk of blood loss. It addresses concerns from doctors about whether giving too little or too much blood during surgery could affect patient outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two transfusion strategies during surgery and up to six hours afterward in the post-anesthetic care unit. One strategy, called the restrictive transfusion approach, gives blood when hemoglobin levels drop below 70 gL or aims to keep hemoglobin between 70-80 gL. The other, a liberal transfusion approach, gives blood when hemoglobin levels fall below 90 gL or aims to maintain levels between 90-100 gL. During the study, participants will receive blood transfusions according to their assigned strategy and complete questionnaires 30 and 90 days after surgery. Researchers will monitor how many patients are recruited, how well the transfusion strategies are followed during surgery and recovery, and how many participants remain in the study up to 30 days after surgery. This pilot trial will help guide the design of a larger future trial.

Hemoglobin Levels for Blood Transfusions During and After Surgery