| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial |
| Participants |
838 critically ill participants with euvolaemia after initial treatment who had Hb concentrations < 9.0 g/dL within 72 hours after admission to the intensive care unit were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups:
|
| Interventions |
The liberal group were transfused RBC when the Hb concentration fell below 10.0 g/dL. The Hb concentration was maintained at between 10.0 g/dL to 12.0 g/dL. The restrictive group were transfused RBC if the Hb concentration dropped below 7.0 g/dL. The Hb concentration was maintained at between 7.0 g/dL to 9.0 g/dL. |
| Outcomes |
Mortality, length of hospital stay, length of ICU stay, blood usage (units), complications, infection rates, cardiac events, pulmonary oedema, pneumonia |
| Notes |
‐ |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) |
Low risk |
The random order was computer generated. |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Low risk |
The data co‐ordinating centre prepared sealed opaque envelopes, which they distributed to each participating institution where they were opened up sequentially to determine the participants treatment assignment. The envelopes were returned periodically to the co‐ordinating centre for auditing. |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias)
All outcomes |
Unclear risk |
"It was not feasible to mask the assigned transfusion strategy from health care providers." Participants were ICU patients. |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias)
All outcomes |
Low risk |
Mortality was the primary outcome. Most outcomes were based on laboratory measures. |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes |
Low risk |
No attrition bias was apparent. |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) |
Low risk |
No reporting bias was apparent. |
| Other bias |
Low risk |
No other biases were apparent. |
