The American College of Physicians (ACP) identified signs and symptoms that warrant red blood transfusion in an anemic, normovolemic patient.
Signs and symptoms that may be produced by anemia:
(1) syncope
(2) dyspnea
(3) postural hypotension
(4) tachycardia
(5) angina
(6) transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Reasons not justifying transfusion in the absence of the above:
(1) hypovolemia potentially responsive to crystalloid infusion
(2) correction of anemia due to iron, folate or vitamin B12 deficiency
(3) to provide a general sense of well-being
(4) prophylactic in the absence of significant risk for myocardial or cerebrovascular ischemia
(5) to promote wound healing
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory
