ABSTRACT
Anemia is common in the intensive care unit (ICU), and blood transfusions are often used to treat anemia in critical care. Anemia in the critically ill can result fromtrauma, surgical intervention, occult gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, repeated phlebotomy for diagnostic testing, and chronic diseases. Critically ill patients often have impaired erythropoiesis due to blunted endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) production, direct inhibition from inflammatory cytokines and certain drugs, or nutritional deficiencies (iron, folate, vitamin B12). Shortened red cell life span can result from consumptive problems, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
