Hemoglobin optimization and transfusion strategies in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Table 1 Practice guidelines for red blood cell transfusion

Guidelines	Release date	Hemoglobin threshold definition	Level of evidence
Society of Thoracic Surgeons/Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists[33]	2011	6 g/dL preoperative and on CPB	2C
		7 g/dL postoperative and at risk of ischemia on CPB	2C
British Committee for Standards in Haematology[34]	2012	7 g/dL stable, non-bleeding CAD	C
		8-9 g/dL ACS
The American Association of Blood Banks[35]	2012	7-8 g/dL in stable patients	1A
		8 g/dL in patients with CVD	2B
		No number for ACS	Uncertain recommendation; very low-quality evidence
European Society of Anesthesiology[36]	2013	7-9 g/dL in bleeding patients	1C
American Society of Anesthesiologists[37]	2015	No number	-

1A: Strong recommendation, high quality evidence; 1B: Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence; 1C: Strong recommendation, low quality evidence; 2A: Weak recommendation, high quality evidence; 2B: Weak recommendation, moderate quality evidence; 2C: Weak recommendation, low quality evidence; CPB: Cardiopulmonary bypass; CAD: Coronary artery disease; CVD: Cardiovascular disease; ACS: Acute coronary syndrome.