The hemoglobin concentrations of patients assigned to the restrictive strategy of transfusion were maintained in the range of 6.0 to 8.0 g per deciliter, with a transfusion given when the hemoglobin concentration fell below 6.0 g per deciliter. Patients assigned to the liberal strategy of transfusion, the hemoglobin concentrations were maintained in the range of 8.0 to 10.0 g per deciliter, with a threshold for transfusion of 8.0 g per deciliter.