What is a restrictive approach to blood transfusion?
A restrictive approach to transfusion generally consists of no routine transfusion for a hemoglobin level >7 g/dL to 8 g/dL. This approach is advocated by the American Association of Blood Banks and the European Society of Cardiology. It is based on data that suggests that a restrictive approach leads to an outcome that is at least as good, if not better, than a liberal transfusion strategy, and that transfusion in patients with ACS is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcome, including death.