Effect of postoperative anemia and baseline cardiac risk on serious adverse outcomes after major vascular interventions

Postoperative anemia increases the rate of early postoperative mortality and major ischemic events, particularly in patients at higher baseline cardiac risk. It also adversely affects respiratory complications and ICU LOS. Until a randomized trial definitively settles the issue, restrictive transfusion strategies should be practiced with caution in patients undergoing major vascular interventions.