• Gregory M T Hare, James E Baker, and Katerina Pavenski.
• Department of Anesthesia and Physiology, The Keenan Research Centre in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada. hareg@smh.ca
• Can J Anaesth. 2011 Jun 1;58(6):569-81.

PurposeThe purpose of this continuing professional development (CPD) module is to review the risk of anemia and transfusion in perioperative patients and to propose an approach for the diagnosis and treatment of preoperative anemia.Principal FindingsPreoperative anemia has been associated with increased transfusion of red blood cells, organ injury, and mortality. Postoperative anemia has also been associated with impaired recovery from surgery. Transfusion also increases the risk of infection, organ injury, and mortality. Preoperatively, iron deficiency anemia can be corrected with oral or intravenous iron; certain types of patients might respond to administration of erythrocyte stimulating agents (ESAs). With ESAs, the increased risk of thrombosis should be balanced against the expected benefit.ConclusionsPreoperative diagnosis and treatment of anemia may reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality associated with both anemia and transfusion.

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