Schneider et al identified factors associated with blood transfusion in patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy. The authors are from University Hospitals Bristol.
Patient selection: minimally invasive esophagectomy, primarily for esophageal cancer
Indications used for blood transfusion:
(1) hemoglobin concentration < 8.0 g/dL
(2) hemoglobin concentration < 10 g/dL AND symptomatic from anemia
Predictors of blood transfusion:
(1) low preoperative hemoglobin (< 12.5 g/dL)
(2) occurrence of a major complication (Clavien-Dindo class >= 3a)
