Perioperative Anemia and Patient Blood Management in Cardiac Surgery: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Preoperative anemia affects up to 50% of cardiac surgery patients and significantly increases morbidity and mortality risks.

• Why it matters: Addressing anemia is crucial because it is a common, modifiable factor that influences patient outcomes and resource use during cardiac surgery.
• What they did: The authors reviewed recent evidence on anemia assessment, blood conservation strategies, and patient-specific considerations, emphasizing multidisciplinary approaches to blood management.
• The result: Implementing targeted perioperative blood management can reduce blood loss and transfusions, ultimately improving surgical outcomes and filling critical knowledge gaps in this field.