Table 1.
Description of included studies
| Study | Design | Number | Setting | Population | Outcomes measured | Confounding factors considered in the analyses | Follow-up period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McIntyre et al. (2006) |
Subgroup of a previously published RCT | 67 | 25 adult ICUs | Moderate to severe TBI | Mortality, MODS, ICULOS, HLOS, RBCT during ICU, infection, physician nonadherence | Age, APACHE score, use of pulmonary artery catheter, mechanical ventilation, vasopressor agents | 60 days |
| Flückiger et al. (2010) |
Retrospective cohort study | 139 | One adult ICU |
Severe TBI | In-hospital mortality, ICU complications, GOSe | Worst Hct during ER/OR phase, transfusion and volume management during ER/OR phase, complications and transfusions during ICU phase | 6 months |
| Lacroix et al. (2007) |
Subgroup of a previously published RCT | 66 | 19 pediatric ICUs | TBI ICH Elective neurosurgery Other space-occupying injuries |
MODS, progression of MODS, ICULOS, duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality, infections, transfusion reaction, adverse events | Age, country, severity of illness, anemia, admission diagnosis | 28 days |
| George et al. (2008) |
Retrospective cohort study | 82 | Two adult ICUs | Severe TBI | Mortality, pneumonia, UTI, bacteremia, sepsis, decubitus ulcer, myocardial infarction, seizure, DVT, pulmonary embolus | Age, gender, motor and total GCS, admission BAL, head and neck AIS score, ISS, presence of SAH, min. ICU Na and Hb levels, RBCT, any complication | NR |
| Warner et al. (2010) |
Retrospective cohort study | 139 | One adult ICU | Moderate to severe TBI | GOSe, FSE, mortality | Age, head AIS score, days with Hb < 10 g/dl, RBCT performed, volume of RBCT, highest serum glucose, days with serum glucose > 200 mg/dl, HLOS, admission GCS, mild versus severe TBI, reason and timing for RBCT | 6 months |
| Naidech et al. (2010) |
Randomized controlled trial | 44 | One adult ICU | SAH at high risk of vasospasm, cerebral infarction |
Fever, ventilator-free days, vasospasm, pulmonary edema or respiratory distress NIH Stroke Scale, modified Rankin Scale |
Age, WFNS score on admission, history of hypertension or diabetes | 3 months |
AIS, abbreviated injury scale; APACHE, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation; BAL, blood alcohol level; DVT, deep vein thrombosis; ER, emergency room; FSE, functional status examination; GCS, Glasgow Coma Scale; GOSe, Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale; Hb, hemoglobin concentration; Hct, hematocrit; HLOS, hospital length of stay; ICH, intracerebral hemorrhage; ICU, intensive care unit; ICULOS, intensive care unit length of stay; ISS, injury severity score; MODS, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome; NIH, National Institutes of Health; NR, not reported; OR, operating room; RBCT, red blood cell transfusion; RCT, randomized controlled trial; SAH, subarachnoid hemorrhage; TBI, traumatic brain injury; UTI, urinary tract infection; WFNS, World Federation of Neurosurgeons.