It's Not All Bats and Vampires: Anemia Management and Transfusion Alternatives for the Critically Ill

Currently there is no real substitute to human blood, but there are alternatives to consider for your anemic ICU patient that may help re-establish blood levels. When anemia develops, it is associated with worse outcomes and a necessity for red blood cell transfusions. ICU patients are a heterogeneous patient group with a broad spectrum of main diagnoses and comorbidities. Evidence-based transfusion trigger guidelines have been established that are dependent on comorbidities. Special attention has been given to blood saving measures and point-of-care diagnosis of coagulation disorders in ICU patients. This presentation will highlight ways to prevent anemia, improve anemia with blood management strategies, and offer full alternatives when blood is limited or not requested due to personal or religious requirements.