Preoperative intravenous iron to treat anaemia before major abdominal surgery (PREVENTT): a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial
Preoperative intravenous iron was not superior to placebo when administered to 487 UK patients with anaemia 10–42 days before elective major abdominal surgery (risk ratio for death/blood transfusion, 1.03, 95% CI 0.78–1.37;; rate ratio of transfusion 0·98, 0·68–1.43).
Source:
The Lancet
SPS commentary:
Based on this evidence, the study researchers note that current guidance on preoperative iron therapy by NHS England and NICE, may need to be be revised to state that preoperative iron therapy is not recommended in major elective surgery patients with anaemia.