Fig. 2.

Risk of death for liberal vs restrictive transfusion in critically ill patients. Relative risk of death for patients with a liberal transfusion regime compared to a restrictive transfusion regime (23.3% vs 17.7%, RR 1.25) [23] (Hébert 1999). Relative risk of death for patients with a liberal transfusion regimen (higher Hb threshold, 45%) compared to a restrictive infusion strategy (lower Hb threshold, 43%) (RR 1.05) [25] (Holst 2014). Hazard ratio for 30-day survival 0.89 [24] (Vincent 2008). HR hazard ratio, RR relative risk. Figure based on [23–25]