Introduction
Anemia is common in critically ill patients and is associated with considerable morbidity and worse outcome .
Conversely, several studies [1,3] have indicated a potential association between blood transfusion
and poor outcome from critical illness. Large observational European [1] and North American [3] cohort studies on blood transfusion practices in critically ill patients
reported that blood transfusion was independently associated with an increased risk of death. This association
was confirmed in propensity score-matched groups.
Studies in trauma patients [5], in patients with burns [6],
in patients undergoing cardiac surgery [7], and in patients
with acute coronary syndromes [8] have also suggested
increased mortality rates associated with blood transfusions